Plan to demolish Shropshire author Mary Webb's home is rejected

County businessman Joe Kwaterski had hoped to level Spring Cottage, the former home of the Gone to Earth and Precious Bane author, at Lyth Hill, near Shrewsbury, and build a luxury six-bedroom house complete with a swimming pool, gym, studio and an orangery.

An initial planning application was submitted to Shropshire Council last year but planning permission was denied in July.

On the basis of this, Mr Kwaterski sought a planning appeal hearing before the Secretary of State. But this week he was told that his appeal had been dismissed.

The Planning Inspectorate dismissed his application on the grounds that the new development would harm the character and appearance of the local area and would encroach on the privacy and living conditions of neighbouring properties.

In her report Planning Inspectorate Victoria Lucas-Gosnold said: "The proposed dwelling would be significantly larger in scale, height and mass when compared with the existing dwelling on the site. I consider that the development would be seen as an incongruous feature that would neither relate to nor reflect the local context within which it would be situated." Many opponents to the scheme said that the plot and bungalow which had been built by Mary Webb in the 1920s should be preserved.

Roger Evans, Shropshire County councillor for Longden ward, said: "This is splendid news for those who care for the countryside as well as for local residents."

Mr Kwaterski said he was disappointed that his appeal had been roundly dismissed but added that revised plans for the plot would be submitted in the future.