Council delays house building

FENLAND S conservation Czar , Councillor Ann Carlisle has won the first round in a battle to halt a four-bedroom house being built in the grounds of a grade II listed building. Cllr Carlisle, a member of Fenland District Council s planning committee and

FENLAND'S conservation 'Czar', Councillor Ann Carlisle has won the first round in a battle to halt a four-bedroom house being built in the grounds of a grade II listed building.

Cllr Carlisle, a member of Fenland District Council's planning committee and portfolio holder for conservation, said the house at Leverington was a very important site.

"I think it would be irresponsible to continue considering this application until we have a report from the conservation officer," she told the committee.

Her colleagues agreed and decided to carry out an inspection of Lancewood in Dowgate Road before reaching a decision on the new home which will incorporate the conversion of part of a former coach house.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, claiming the "impact upon the conservation area is minimised by virtue of the distance from the road and thus from any public viewing point".

Home owner Stephen

Wearing, who already has permission for a pair of six-bedroom houses elsewhere in the grounds, said: "This is a meticulously well-prepared proposal."

Councillor Philip Hatton said: "The new proposal is no closer to Lancewood and I see no reason why we should grant this and go along with it."

Edward Everall, an objector, said: "I have been in correspondence with Leverington Parish Council and they are very concerned that another house is planned in a beauty spot and in a conservation area.

"A few years ago we had a decision for a swimming pool or garden. That would be a much better way of bringing the land into much better and active use.