A CAMPAIGN to save a period family home from demolition has been so successful that councillors are now being asked to decide its fate.

Objectors were horrified when Oakenstead Estates applied to demolish Rackmead in Watery Lane, Weymouth, and build a new home with a garage in its place.

Now a campaign led by retired BP technician Norman Petty has been given a boost because original moves for planning officers to deal with the application under delegated powers have been updated in favour of a full hearing in front of Weymouth and Portland's planning and traffic committee.

News of the change was announced at a meeting of the committee by planning manager Simon Williams.

He said that because of the 'considerable number' of objections received by planners, the application would now be dealt with by the committee at its next meeting on April 23.

The news delighted those trying to save Rackmead including Emily Barnes, whose family has associations with Rackmead going back more than a century and can trace its history back to the 1840s when it was built.

She said: "This is fantastic news. It is wonderful to hear that so many people want to save Rackmead.

"It is brilliant. I have no idea what will happen to the building in the end but we have to save it because there is so much useful that could be done with it.

"I don't know who or how or when it would happen, but we have to keep the building alive. I just hope councillors can find a way of saving the building and gardens and restoring them.

"The problem is that there is so much work and money needed to do so.

"Perhaps there may be a Lottery grant available to save it for the community."

In the past Rackmead used to be a market garden and plant nursery and its grounds still contain many unusual trees and shrubs including a yew which was already 'a tree of grand stature' in a photograph taken in 1900.

Mr Petty was delighted that a closer look is to be taken at the application and said: "I am very, very pleased at the support we are getting.

"Clearly people are very upset at the prospect of losing such a wonderful building.

"A lot more people know about the threat to Rackmead now thanks to the campaign which has touched so many people. We must now hope that the planning meeting on April 23 can find a way to save it."

Weymouth Civic Society has also pledged its support to save Rackmead and a spokesman said: "I think it would be a pity to lose this house. It is still a very useable home and the rooms are actually quite large."

Oakenstead Estates has refused to comment on its application.