RESIDENTS battling to reopen their village pub have been handed a timely boost with the refusal of plans to bulldoze the building.

Developers launched proposals to flatten the Churchill Arms in Sturminster Marshall and replace it with nine houses.

Planners at the now abolished East Dorset District Council refused the scheme in October but Northshore Companies Ltd launched an appeal to the planning inspectorate earlier this year.

To the delight of campaigners, government-appointed inspector Robert Parker dismissed the appeal for several reasons, including the impact it would have on the character and appearance of the area and potential flood risks.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Poole Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch, who lives in Sturminster Marshall, spoke out against the plans.

On discovering the appeal had been dismissed, Mr Middleditch wrote on Twitter: “Still things to do but a great positive move forward to trying to reopen our village pub.”

The venue has stood in the village for more than 100 years, however, as noted by the inspector, it has been closed and boarded up for some time.

Northshore Companies highlighted unsuccessful attempts to maintain the business in previous years.

Mr Parker said this suggested the premises is no longer viable and he could not justify dismissing the appeal on the grounds of the loss of a community facility, despite a “groundswell” of local objections over the potential loss of the public house.

However, he still found enough evidence within the case to prevent the scheme from gaining approval.

His report said: “The proposal would conflict with the development plan in relation to its impact on the character and appearance of the area and flood risk.

“The scheme would not secure the high standard of amenity for future users which is sought by the framework.

“The loss of the building as a non-designated heritage asset militates against a grant of permission.”