A bid to partially demolish a listed building as part of plans to deliver 14 flats has been rejected.

Planning approval for a 14-flat development at the Grade II* listed building in High Road, Chigwell, was granted in 2017.

However, a number of amendments have since been proposed to which Epping Forest District Council objected.

Amendments included the installation of a lift into the centre of the building. Additionally a centre part of the roof would be removed to create a roof terrace and to house the lift run.

Councillors, as advised by Historic England, rejected the amendments, saying they would significantly increase the “harm” done to the historic elements and compromise the preservation of the building.

The building, a 3-storey mansion house with single storey side wings on both flanks, dates back to the 18th Century.

Parts of the building are known to have been remodelled by Sir Edwin Lutyens, best known for designing the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in northern France.

The building was last used by Chigwell School and has been empty since late 2016.

Planning application officer, Michael Johnson said: “The proposed alterations to the Grade II* listed building would result in significant and substantial harm to the form and character, historic layout and fabric, and legibility of the listed building, introducing modern built elements not characteristic to a building of the age and style, substantially altering the internal and external built form, and removing and subdividing parts of the building which are of significant importance to the fabric, appearance and legibility of its form.

"The result would irreversibly erode its significance through the loss of its historic layout, form and historic elements. Officers consider that the extensive harm to the listed building clearly outweighs any limited benefits from the proposal."