Designer homes plan published for fire-hit estate

Parnham House was largely destroyed by a fire in 2017

A designer housing estate with its own natural outdoor swimming pool and padel court could be built to fund repairs to a fire-hit stately home.

Dorset Council has published a planning application for Grade I listed Parnham House, near Beaminster, Dorset, which was gutted in a suspected arson attack in 2017.

Former rave promoter James Perkins, who bought the property in 2020, wants to build 82 "quality" homes and two guest lodges.

He has also applied to rebuild the south wing of the house, incorporating a "showpiece" glazed wall into the ruins.

Former rave promoter James Perkins bought the stately home in 2020

The fire broke out at Parnham in the early hours of 15 April 2017 and took four days to fully extinguish.

Previous owner Michael Treichl was arrested on suspicion of arson and was found dead two months later.

The building, which lost most of its roof, is "at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration", the application noted.

Accompanying drone photographs, taken in October, showed trees growing through the windows and roof space.

The plans include "showpiece" glazing filling a gap in a ruined wall

The housing on the north end of the Parnham estate, closest to Beaminster, is proposed as an "enabling development" - one that would not normally be allowed but for the conservation benefit to Parnham House.

Owners would have the use of an outdoor natural swimming pool, a gym, a padel court and electric vehicle charging facilities for each house.

The planning application also proposes to restore the stately home's south wing "as a private home with a hospitality offering".

It includes a glazed wall, an artistic spiral staircase and 12 bedrooms.

An artist's impression of part of the proposed housing estate

People who attended the estate's public exhibition in July raised questions over affordable housing and pressure on Beaminster.

Mr Perkins, 56, who co-founded the Fantazia events brand, has already won permission for parties and weddings, a restaurant and holiday chalets on the 131-acre estate.

In May, an auction of his collected fossils and artworks raised £2.2m, according to Dreweatts auctioneers.

Dorset Council is inviting comments on the new plans until 28 December.