by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Abbotsbury Parish Council has said it is “cautiously supportive” of the conversion of a former licensed tearoom in the village into a wine bar.
Its comment on the planning application to Dorset Council warn that window design and the management of outdoor seating must be carefully handled to protect neighbours’ privacy.
It also expresses some concern about the additional need for parking which may be created by the change of use, especially in the evening, which Dorset Council has approved.
The plans, submitted under planning reference P/FUL/2025/03303, is for 26 Rodden Row, a Grade II listed stone building known locally as The Old Post Office. The building includes tearoom premises on the ground floor, residential accommodation above, and a garden and outside seating area to the rear, all within the village Conservation Area.
Under the plans, the ground floor would change from café use (Class E) to a wine bar (sui generis), while retaining the existing residential use above. The scheme includes new non‑structural internal partitions, alterations to the toilet block—such as accessible facilities and smaller obscure‑glazed windows—and a lightweight canopy to provide a covered walkway between the main building and the toilets. Existing signage on three elevations would also be replaced or repositioned.
The change of use will allow part of the garden to be used as additional outdoor seating for customers. The wine bar would operate within the same opening hours already authorised under the site’s existing premises licence.
While largely supportive, Abbotsbury Parish Council remained concerned about the impact of the altered toilet area and lean‑to, which would be visible from several nearby homes. Parish councillors stressed that the screening and placement of windows—and the way any external seating is managed—will be critical in preventing overlooking and minimising disturbance to neighbours.
The applicant notes that Abbotsbury already has several cafés serving residents and visitors, and says the alterations are designed to preserve the historic fabric of the listed building.
