A BID to create basement parking and a two storey extension to a house in a Devizes conservation area close to the castle has been turned down by a planning inspector.

Terence Tovey appealed against a Wiltshire Council decision to reject the plan at The Beeches, Castle Lane but the decision has now been upheld.

Inspector Debbie Moore said the appeal was dismissed as she felt it would undermine and cause harm to the house itself and the conservation area.

She said: "I understand the appellant’s desire to improve the building’s accessibility and improve energy efficiency, however, there may be other means to achieve these aims. There are no clear public benefits to outweigh the harm in this instance."

The inquiry was told that planning permission for some of the scheme had been approved by Wiltshire Council in June last year but a two storey extension to the south west part of the house was not included.

The inspector decided the new extension would affect the look of the building and said: "The appeal property was built during a period of change and development in

the town and has the elegant architectural style of a 19th Century villa.

"The current proposal includes a two storey extension and balcony to the south west elevation of the host building. This was previously the building’s principle

façade. Although the main entrance now faces Castle Road, the south west elevation retains original features including the original entrance and decorative barge boards to the gable.

"The significance of the building lies in its external appearance and its original plan form. The extension would obscure part of the south west elevation

including the historic entrance"