A HOMEOWNER should be prosecuted for illegally removing and burning a staircase from her unique 17th century farmhouse, say councillors.

Members of West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee said Carol Thelwell had abused the system to refurbish her Grade II listed home in Corton, near Warminster.

Mrs Thelwell secured retrospective planning permission to put up a new staircase and partition wall at Sundial House as councillors accepted the work had not resulted in any material harm.

But they said Mrs Thelwell was fortunate not to be facing legal action.

Cllr Janet Repton said: "This seems to me a case for prosecution. It is only that the applicant is lucky or streetwise when it comes to this kind of building that she has got away with it.

"I would love to prosecute somebody like this."

Cllr Christopher Newbury said: "It is an offence to make any alteration to any listed building without planning permission.

"I understand the original staircase was taken out and burnt on the premises and that's not the way it should be. Listed buildings ought to be getting more respect than they are getting here."

While approving the application, councillors agreed Mrs Thelwell should be warned about any repeat actions.

The planning officer's report on Sundial House said it had unique interior features such as the marble fireplace in the drawing room, with an 18th century mural landscape painting above.

"This feature is one of a kind, to be found nowhere else in the district," the report said.

In a letter to the committee, Boyton Parish Council said: "It is our opinion that Mrs Thelwell, owner of Sundial House, knew that planning permission should have been sought, but chose not to do so.

"Our concern is that this behaviour, if not challenged, will set an unacceptable precedent for owners of other properties in the village. We ask that some action is taken by your officers."

Rosie MacGregor, a principal planning officer with the council, said Mrs Thelwell had been poorly advised on the work she had had done, but there was a lack of evidence to prosecute.

She said: "It's a bit of a conundrum and we are at a loss to explain what has happened in the house. Many people believe that the only parts of the building that are listed are the outside."

Mrs Thelwell said: "I don't really have any comment to make. I applied for planning permission and I received it.

"It was the council's decision and I'm very pleased that it has been accepted."