Another stage in rebuilding the fire-damaged Parnham House at Beaminster has been agreed.

The historic listed building was badly damaged in a devastating blaze in 2017 and since then has been slowly rebuilt with plans for new holiday accommodation in the grounds recently approved.

The latest planning application to be agreed by Dorset Council is for the reconstruction and improvements to the Stable Block, which once included a gym, showers and sauna, cinema room, bedrooms and office space.

The approved plans include reconstructing and replacing all the damaged roofs with stone tiles and lead coverings to match the original; reconstructing the internal first floor structure and staircases and restoring all the rooms at ground floor, first floor and attic levels.

Most of the rooms will be rebuilt as they were prior to the fire although with some minor internal alterations which will allow some of the bedrooms to have en suite facilities.

During the building work internal insulation will be added to the walls and the existing metal framed windows refurbished.

Council conservation officers have supported proposals to use more modern materials in some areas as part of the works.

Beaminster Town Council has supported the latest application from the Perkins family to bring the building back into use while Dorset Wildlife Trust has asked that a bat survey be undertaken before the building work on the stable block starts.