An historic manor which inspired author Thomas Hardy could have a 120-home estate built nearby - despite a campaign by Lord Julian Fellowes.

The Downton Abbey writer was among 170 people who objected to plans for 120 houses on land just 200 yards from stunning Wolfeton House near Dorchester, Dorset.

West Dorset District Council members voted overwhelmingly to reject the planning application in April, much to Lord Fellowes' delight.

But now developers Land Value Alliances LLP has appealed the decision and been granted a second shot at getting it passed at a four-day government inquiry.

It could see the developers get the go-ahead for the homes, which would be close to Prince Charles' Poundbury village.

Disappointed Lord Fellowes, president of the Hardy Society, said: "I don't think I really have the right to stay silent when his heritage is under threat.

"It is true that Wolfeton House figured largely in Hardy's life, providing the model for settings in several stories and lending the name of the family who then owned it, the Trenchards, to the Mayor of Casterbridge, one of Hardy's most celebrated novels.

"Once the new estate is built, the magic of the surroundings is gone and cannot ever be restored."

The 16th century house was owned for 400 years by the Trenchard family, whose name was the inspiration for the main character in 1886 novel The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Thomas Hardy himself is known to have visited the property during his lifetime.

He also used the grand house as his setting for the short story The Lady Penelope which was based on Lady Penelope Darcy who married all three of her suitors including Sir George Trenchard.

The Archduke Philip of Austria and his Spanish wife Joanna of Castile also stayed at the historic house after their ship was forced into Weymouth harbour by storms.

Now, the home is owned by Captain Nigel Thimbleby, a retired army officer and relative of the Trenchards, and his wife Katharine who have owned the house since 1961.

Under the proposals, Land Value Alliances will build up to 120 dwellings featuring a variety of three and four bedroom homes along with a large public open space for recreation.

At a meeting of the council's planning committee in April, councillors said that the proposal would urbanise the rural setting and could be damaging.

Applicants Land Value Alliances LLP (LVA) argued the development would include 35 per cent affordable housing.

They added that fears about the views between the development and Wolfeton House could be solved by design and landscaping, but it was rejected by the council.

But developers applied to the government planning inspector, who has agreed to hear the plans over a four-day inquiry which is due to be held in December.

A government appointed planning inspector will hear the case from the developer along with objectors and the council before making an independent assessment of whether the development should go ahead.

Wolfeton House owner Katharine said: "Tourists come from all over the place to visit the house, it's certainly got strong Hardy links and one of the most important country houses on the South Coast.

"However, the greedy developers want to build on the land. Thomas Hardy would be appalled by what is going on if he knew."

Resident and local district councillor Tim Yarker added: "The village wants to be a village and have developments which are appropriate."

Mark Simons, chairman of Charminster Parish Council said that the village felt "under siege" from the plans.

However, James Tizzard, partner at LVA said that they were committed to working with stakeholders to ensure a high-quality development which helps to address the council's local housing demand.