DOWNTON Abbey writer Lord Julian Fellowes has spoken out against plans to build a housing estate next to a country manor that inspired author Thomas Hardy.

Lord Fellowes, who is president of the Hardy Society, has written to planners to object to the proposed 120 home development that will be just 200 yards from Wolfeton House near Dorchester.

The historic house once belonged to the Trenchard family whose name provided inspiration for the flawed character Michael Henchard in Hardy's Mayor of Casterbridge novel.

Lord Fellowes, who lives in the nearby village of West Stafford, said he could not 'stay silent' any longer when Hardy's heritage 'is under threat'. He said the development would 'destroy a major element in Hardy's story'.

He said: "I am afraid that, these days, the sight of my name on a letter to the planning department must be greeted by a low groan but as the president of the Hardy Society, I don't think I really have the right to stay silent when his heritage is under threat. I hope you can forgive me."

There are a growing number of objections to the development that will be on agricultural land in the village of Charminster, near Dorchester.

As well as about 100 local residents, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Landmark Trust have opposed the plans while Natural England has expressed its concerns.

Developers Land Value Alliances have submitted a planning application to West Dorset District Council for the estate that would consist of 35 per cent affordable housing.

Council planners have recommended the development be approved not least because there are 1,570 people on the council's waiting list for affordable housing.

A committee meeting to decide the matter will be held in Dorchester, which Hardy called Casterbridge in his 1886 novel, next month.