ARMSTRONG RIGG PLANNING
Site: The Pulpit Inn, Portland Bill, Dorset
Client: Koori Limited
On behalf of Koori Ltd, ARP was pleased to secure full planning consent for the replacement of the existing tired and dilapidated Pulpit Inn at the southern tip of the famous Portland Bill with a brand-new expanded facility that includes accommodation primarily aimed at adventure tourism in and around the island.
ARP was involved in shaping this project from the outset, with Koori Ltd approaching us to identify the optimum way in which the existing Pulpit Inn site could be viably reused. The existing pub was suffering from a cramped and dated layout and a lack of the ability to expand its catering offer. It also required a significant level of investment to bring it up to modern hospitality standards. We undertook significant research to identify a gap in the outdoor activities market, an element of the local tourist industry that was being strongly promoted by both Dorset Council and Portland Town Council.
It was concluded that a replacement facility be pursued that offered specialised accommodation for outdoor enthusiasts. At the same time, it must retain the food and drink offer and ability to serve as a meeting space, uses which were valued by residents to the extent that the old inn had recently been listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Initial discussions with officers saw a high level of resistance from the Council to the proposals. Detailed negotiation was needed during the application to firstly convince the case officer that there was a pressing need for the proposals and that the new facility could be delivered at a highly sensitive and constrained site, one which sat within a protected landscape, near a number of listed buildings, and adjacent to a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the unique coastline.
The meticulous approach taken towards the scale and appearance of the building by the design team successfully won over officers and consultees alike to the extent that it was approved under delegated powers in October 2023. Work on the replacement of the facility began immediately following grant of permission.
ARP is pleased that this consent not only secured a valuable investment opportunity for the client but also allowed the renewal of a prized community asset.
