Housing plan to raise money for fire-hit mansion

Former rave promoter James Perkins bought the ruined stately home in 2020

A development of 85 new homes is needed to pay for the restoration of a fire-damaged stately home, its owner has said.

Grade I listed Parnham House, near Beaminster, Dorset, was gutted in a suspected arson attack in 2017.

Former rave promoter James Perkins bought the property in 2020 and has been negotiating with Historic England over development proposals.

Details of the latest scheme will be revealed at a public meeting on Tuesday, ahead of a planning application, according to a Facebook post.

The house was largely destroyed by a fire in 2017

The message, on the Beaminster Information Centre page, said: "The current plan for an enabling development of 85 homes is about to be submitted to Dorset Council.

"The income from this is entirely used in the restoration of the building."

An enabling development is one that would not normally be allowed, except for the fact that it would secure the future conservation of a heritage asset, according to Historic England.

In a statement, the group said: "We've had early discussions with the owner on potential development in the surrounds of the house but have not seen the latest plans.

"We understand that some form of development will be needed to help pay for the house's restoration, and our aim is to ensure that any development preserves the beautiful setting of the Grade I listed building as far as possible."

A fossilised mammoth was among items sold in May to raise money for restoration, auctioneers said

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.

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.

The housing plans will be shown at Beaminster Public Hall on 29 July from 14:00 - 19:00 BST.