A BID to demolish most of one of Chippenham's oldest buildings is being fought.

Fidutec Fiduciaire wants to knock down all but the original early 19th-century section of the Grade II listed building at 9 London Road.

The firm says it would keep the protected faade but replace everything else. It claims North Wiltshire District Council's refusal of previous schemes has blighted the building which is now badly dilapidated.

The council has already carried out emergency repairs to keep the building wind and watertight.

Planners say the latest scheme, to turn the building into offices, is acceptable but the problem is the amount of protected building the company wants to demolish.

A council spokesman said: "No justification for the extent of the demolition proposed has been submitted. This proposal would clearly be detrimental to the character of the listed building."

Councillors were meeting this week to decide the application.