PLANS to demolish a historic building in Prestbury and build another home in its place have been rejected.

Proposals to demolish Sandford Dene, a mid-nineteenth century house in Lake Street, were rejected by at a borough council planning committee meeting because it was feared they would harm the character and appearance of the area.

After almost an hour of debate, a narrow majority of committee members voted 6-5 to reject the plans with one abstention.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Malcolm Stennett, (PAB, Prestbury), said: "The application created a lot of debate.

"The feeling was that at this point there is no need to totally rebuild an old building, which with the right amount of money spent on it, could be restored to its former condition.

"Committee members were also mindful of the fact that the building falls within the Prestbury Conservation Area."

The plans had been recommended for refusal by borough council planning officer Martin Chandler because they who said the proposed loss of the building would have a negative impact on neighbouring homes, many of which were historic and medieval.

The proposed replacement building was 71 cubic metres larger than the current property, located closer to the southern boundary of the site with a double garage to the north.

Applicant Keith Jones, director of Leckhampton-based Lightmoor Homes Ltd, said he was "very disappointed" with the decision.

"It is a big blow," he said. "The fact that committee members debated for almost an hour - in spite of the officer's recommendation - shows there is a lot of merit in the application.

"We have already tried to sell the property but no one wanted to buy it in its current state.

"We had no objections to the plans and even had the support of neighbours. It is very disappointing."