WORK to refurbish and improve a grade 2 listed cottage in Parnham Park, Beaminster, damaged by fire is being planned by the estate.

Pump Cottage has been vacant since the blaze on March 28, which spread from a wood-burning stove in the sitting room.

The building sits between the North Stable Block and the Kitchen Garden, close to the main house which itself was virtually destroyed by a fire in 2017.

Since then the new owners, the Perkins family, have brought the West Wing back into use with planning consent granted for a number of holiday homes within the grounds, including a Boat House and a mirror copy of The Dower House.

These are intended to bring in the income to finish the restoration work of the main buildings, dating back to the mid 16th century, thought likely to run into tens of millions of pounds.

READ MORE: Firefighters tackle blaze in grounds of fire-ravaged Parnham House

The works being proposed for the cottage will reinstate damage to the walls and roof and will also, if approved, see new windows, doors and a Juliet balcony fitted, along with new roof windows and dormers.

Fire damage in the sitting room of the cottageFire damage in the sitting room of the cottage (Image: DHA Architecture/Parnham Estate)

A closed access to a walled garden will also be re-opened as part of the project if Dorset Council grant planning consent.

Architects for the estate say the changes will optimise the use of the building as “a guest dwelling” to support what is described as the ‘emerging hospitality function’ of the estate – which includes weddings and holiday use.

Said DHA Architecture on behalf of the estate: “Even prior to the recent fire, the cottage was becoming dilapidated, barely liveable and not ideal for use by guests, with insufficient natural light, substandard sanitary provision and cold and draughty conditions in the winter.

"Whilst there had been some cosmetic works to the cottage recently, its short-comings as guest accommodation whilst were undeniable and problematic.

“Overall, the cottage is simple and robust in its architecture, without decorative features and it is clear that it has been substantially altered over its lifetime, with obvious changes to openings on the elevations and the insertion of modern fixtures and fittings.”