A DORSET pub has been granted consent to convert outbuildings into three holiday lets.

The Trooper Inn at Stourton Caundle, a CAMRA award winner, says the diversification will help strengthen the business.

It already offers a summer camping and caravan site just a short walk from the pub in a field.

The independent, family-run pub, close to Sherborne and Sturminster Newton, has been grade 2 listed since 1983.

The Dorset Council planning agreement will allow it to convert a L-shaped outbuilding to the rear of the pub which has previously served as a garage, skittle alley and function room. The converted building will be allocated five dedicate parking spaces and will see limited external changes, mainly the addition of windows and doors.

The pub business already has an extant planning consent for two holiday lets in a nearby building.

A planning agent for the pub says that the holiday lets will all be offered on a self-catering basis which will help the local economy: “ It is likely the visitors of these proposed holiday lets are likely to spend their money locally which would help the local economy, and being self-catering, dining at the at the pub would be an attractive option, which would add to the vibrancy and viability of the pub.”

One of the new lets is described as a ‘studio’ with a double bed in the main living area; another will offer a double and single bed with the third property having a double bed and two separate mezzanine levels each with a single bed.