ONE of the oldest family homes in Watery Lane, Weymouth, is facing demolition after planners approved a scheme to build a new five-bedroom home in its place.

Councillors had made a site visit to see the 1842 house as part of a Weymouth and Portland planning and traffic committee meeting, but Paul Cullen of developer Oakenstead Estates banned the Echo from attending.

He said the grounds were private land owned by him and he saw no need for the Echo to enter.

Officers told committee members more than 40 objections had been made against it because of Rackmead's historic interest, because it would be out of keeping with a rural setting and because it would be detrimental to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and next to a conservation area.

But members also heard that Oakenstead didn't need permission to demolish the house because it was not a listed building nor was it in a conservation area.

Planning manager Simon Williams also said that English Heritage had been contacted about the potential to list Rackmead and they had replied that, while the building was held in 'fond regard', it lacked special character or historic interest which would enable it to be listed.

Weymouth Civic Society also objected to the loss of Rackmead while retired BP technician Norman Petty, who led the campaign to save it, said getting it listed was 'currently under appeal' with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

He added that the Dorset Building Group said Rackmead was 'unique in South Dorset' while he felt it was 'ludicrous' that protection orders existed for trees on the site but not for the house.

Applicant Carol Evans said Oakenstead had looked at renovation but it was 'not viable' due to 'severe neglect'.

She said the design of the new home respected the area's semi-rural character, would breathe life back into the site and could only enhance the character and appearance of Watery Lane.

Coun John Nash said that the council does not miss much when it comes to conserving things,' so he supported the scheme as did Coun Margaret Leicester.

But Coun Mark Tewkesbury said he was against it on design grounds as was Coun Anne Kenwood.

The meeting then voted 7-2 in favour of delegating permission for the scheme to Mr Williams subject to 13 conditions.