WINCHESTER planners have scrapped proposals to extend one of the city’s grandest houses because they feared it would overshadow a neighbour.
Highgrove House, in St Thomas Street, was set for a new orangery and two-storey garage block under controversial plans submitted by Joe Cooper.
The grade II listed Georgian townhouse was listed at £2.85 million last year by the Land Registry.
But after a site visit, Winchester City Council’s viewing committee agreed the proposal would “have an overbearing impact” on neighbouring Upper House, in Symonds Street.
Preservation watchdogs the City of Winchester Trust were among 11 objectors, saying it would also affect the setting of listed buildings in the vicinity.
The decision was deferred last month after councillors agreed they should look for themselves.
Cllr Barry Lipscomb warned the planning committee that the extension might not suit Highgrove House’s gardens, which he described as a “hidden jewel of Winchester”.
The viewing committee went against officer recommendations by four votes to three despite Mr Cooper doubling the planned distance between the two properties to 2.4m.
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