OWNERS of an historic former pub in Weymouth have submitted plans to convert the site into homes.

Planning permission and listed building consent is sought to create a total of three new homes at the site of the former Swan Inn in Upwey.

The Grade II listed property at number 567 Dorchester Road is a former 18th-century coaching inn that ceased trading in 2004. It was sold to a Mrs Curtis in 2006 who in 2019 became a director of Wimborne-based property developer Swanwey Ltd.

As reported, a certificate of lawfulness was granted for change of use of the former pub last year, after documents submitted to Dorset Council stated that the owner and her family had been living there since 2006.

Agents have now submitted proposals to convert the main building into a four-bedroomed home and demolish a single-storey rear extension, to be replaced with a two-storey extension. The existing extension is said to have been added in the 20th century, and is described as 'substandard.'

Permission is also sought to turn a three-bedroomed house and annexe at the site into a three-bedroomed property and one-bed cottage.

According to documents submitted by the applicant, the proposals "seek to reinstate the historic context of the former pub, which has otherwise been diluted through a poorly executed previous conversion," as well as 'reconfiguring' the north range of the complex into two residential units.

The proposed development would still comprise three dwellings, but their arrangement would be 'altered,' the planning application states.

A heritage statement attached to the planning application, commissioned by Malcolm Curtis of the Red Tale Group, states: "The broad arrangement of the rooms within the front range will be retained, but with some alterations accommodating new uses. The roof space will be converted to provide additional accommodation. The rear north range, comprising a three-bedroom house and annexe, will be sub-divided and altered to create a three-bedroom house and a one-bedroom cottage, whilst respecting the historic plan form of the structure."

Plans indicate that the building's run-down appearance is also to be addressed - including replacement or refurbishment of existing pub signage and external ironwork.

The applicant also proposes to reinstate stone flagstones inside the building; expose and repair historic fireplaces, and retain existing beams. 

Comments can be made on the planning application until January 22 2023 via Dorset Council's website using reference number P/FUL/2022/06500.