PLANS to convert part of a listed building in Wimborne into a restaurant have been submitted to the council.

The application to change the ground floor of 16 West Borough into restaurant space has been submitted by Okewood Heritage Properties.

Wind farm development company Infinergy currently occupies the ground floor of the Grade II listed Georgian building.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead by East Dorset District Council, the company would relocate to the upper two floors.

Okewood Heritage Properties said it had “assessed the likely demand for alternative uses” of the ground floor, and concluded that a change of use to a restaurant was the “preferred option”.

It is not yet known which restaurant would occupy the site.

In a heritage statement as part of the planning application, architectural historian Garry Miller said the works which would be carried out to the building would be of a “minimal nature”.

“West Borough developed as an elegant residential street in the 18th century and number 16 belongs to this phase. It dates from the early 1800s and is a good example of a late Georgian town house.

“The proposal aims to establish the optimum viable use for the listed building and, therefore, secure its future.

“There will be no alteration to the exterior of the original Georgian building, while limited alterations will be made to the 1990s extension.

“Internal alterations will be restricted to the removal of modern partitions only, especially in the rear extension, and while a lift is proposed within the original building, it is located in an area where no historic features will be affected.”

He added: “Its positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Wimborne Minster Conservation Area will also be preserved.”

There are no plans to extend the building, and no changes will be made to the appearance of the original three-storey town house.

Parking at the rear of the building would be primarily for office employees during the day and restaurant staff. In the evening, some customers would be able to park there.

A small area between the extension and the boundary wall of the neighbouring pub, The Man in the Wall, would be converted into an external seating area.

The application is open to comments until Friday, March 17.