A GARDEN ‘room’ with stunning views towards an iconic west Dorset landscape is to be reduced in size after being built without planning permission.

The structure, in the garden of 3 Pump Cottages, West Road, 1.3km west of Bridport on the A35 overlooks local landmark Colmers Hill.

Councillors have agreed planning consent provided that an agreement is signed for around one third of the shed-like building to be removed within six months, including its steps and a decking area, with the existing roof replaced with a Sedum ‘living roof’ to help the building blend into the landscape.

An area planning committee was told that reducing the size and scale of the structure would make it acceptable in planning terms and, at the smaller size, would not be considered ‘harmful’ to the landscape and its setting within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Symondsbury parish council raised no objection to the changes although had asked for a previous retrospective application for the building, as it stands, to be refused claiming that it was detrimental to the neighbours and planning policy.

The parish council was also unhappy that the structure was being offered for holiday use through Air BnB. That application was then withdrawn to be replaced by the current proposal which reduces the size of the garden building and decking area, which is planning terms is considered an extension to the house although separated from it by a garden and access track shared with other properties.

Part of the planning consent includes an agreement that the building “shall not be occupied or used at any time other than for purposes ancillary to the use of the residential dwelling known currently as No. 3 Pump Cottages.”