PLANS for executive homes in the grounds of country estate to enable the preservation of a former country mansion were narrowly rejected by councillors.

Steven Spry and David Wilson Homes applied to Durham County Council for permission to build 35 homes at Hamsterley Hall, near Consett, County Durham, saying the development was vital to save the Grade 1 listed building.

But county planning committee chairman Councillor Keith Davidson used his casting vote to break a deadlock and voted against the proposals saying it would “seriously spoil the valley”.

Earlier plans to create 60 houses in the grounds were rejected by Durham County Council. The decision was upheld following a public inquiry in March 2012.

Mr Spry said since the original proposal was turned down the building had further deteriorated, with subsidence causing catastrophic damage - and immediate action was needed to save it.

The meeting was told there had been 117 letters of objection while there had been 263 in support – of which 255 had been in the form of a standard letter.

Recommending approval, principal planning officer Andrew Inch said English Heritage supported the plans and any potential harm to the landscape would be minimised through a “sensitive approach".

But objectors argued the revised plans would be even more conspicuous.

Leslie Rutherford of the Derwent Valley Protection Society said: “This is a lazy mass house builders’ Trojan horse scheme which ignores the inspector’s advice to look elsewhere at dispersed sites. “

Speaking for the applicants, Michael Hepburn said : “This is a great example of what an enabling process is intended for.

“This is the only way to saving this vitally important part of our heritage."

Hamsterley Hall was the country home of the novelist Robert Smith Surtees, best known for his Jorrocks stories.