A housing development planned for land next to Charles Darwin’s birthplace, which provoked fury among residents, has been withdrawn.

The plans for 9 Darwin Gardens, Shrewsbury, which included building a four bedroom two storey house next to Mount House, where Charles Darwin was born and grew up, were recommended for refusal by Shropshire Council prompting the applicants to withdraw this week.

The move follows dozens of objections from residents and strong criticism of the plans by English Heritage, which said the visual impact on the Grade II* listed site would be severe.

It currently has a regular stream of international visitors and is under tenancy with the Valuation Office. Plans are in place to eventually restore and reopen Darwin’s birthplace as a tourist attraction and education and conference centre.

Members of Darwin Birthplace Society objected strongly to the application , claiming the house would overshadow and spoil a key part of the town’s heritage, affecting visitor numbers.

In an official objection John Yates, inspector of historic buildings at English Heritage, said: “English Heritage strongly recommends that this application should be refused, because of its adverse visual effect on the setting of The Mount.

“The visual impact of the proposed house is severe.”

Resident Robert Kinnersley said: “We are delighted the application has been withdrawn as it gives us more time to get our case to object together further.

“We think the plans could well be altered and resubmitted so we will be more than ready this time to fight what we think is a quite outrageous thing to do.

“It’s a busy time of year so people have rallied together quite well against the development.”

Locals had said the proposal could have a disastrous effect on the area and dominate the scene.

But applicant Andrew Marsden claimed the scheme would preserve and enhance the conservation area and altered plans could now be resubmitted.

By David Seadon