RESIDENTS are battling to save one of the few remaining Victorian villas in Swanage.

Studland Properties Ltd is applying to turn Sea Court into flats and build a block of eight flats in its garden.

It is the latest in a series of five applications affecting the site in Taunton Road - one of which is currently subject of a planning appeal.

Residents have until February 18 to make comments on the latest proposals.

Sea Court was designed in 1884 by Charles T Miles - the same architect who designed Westbourne Library and several other listed buildings in Bournemouth.

It was the home of artist George William Joy when he painted his famous work Christ and the Little Child, using local people as his models.

Bett Paxton-Brunning, from Park Road, said: "If things go on as they are, Swanage will be nothing but a massive block of flats. People are noticing the changes.

"It will be like Crystal Palace with all these flats staring down on us - we will not be able to see the sky."

Andrew Preston, of Cluny Crescent, said: "Any excavation on the site could undermine Sea Court.

"In the past a nearby development caused our wall to fall down so we know there are problems."

Efforts to save Sea Court have won the backing of national body the Victorian Society and members of Swanage Buildings Preservation Group have also launched a bid to have it listed.

The group is also seeking an extension of the Swanage conservation area. Chairman John Wootton said: "We think it is an incredibly interesting house and worthy of conservation."

The group is trying to trace relatives of Charles T Miles and would like to find out more information about the history of Sea Court .

Anyone who can help should phone 01929 421794.

First published: February 9