CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after councillors voted to save a historic cottage under threat of demolition on Mudeford Quay.

The fight to save the Little Haven cottage at Mudeford was reignited following plans to demolish it and build a new property in its place.

But the recommendation to approve the three-bedroom building sparked dozens of objections from concerned residents, intent on preserving the character and history of the popular beauty spot.

A previous application for the cottage, which is owned by former leader of Christchurch council, Alan Griffiths, was refused by planners in 2012 and subsequently dismissed on appeal.

At a meeting of Christchurch council’s planning committee on Thursday members were told the appeal inspector had expressed concern about the first floor element of the previous plans.

However, this element had been removed from the new scheme with other changes reducing the skylights and extra gable end.

Opposing the scheme, Bob McNair, who will be standing for the council as a Labour candidate, implored councillors to act on behalf of residents and refuse permission for the plans.

“Christchurch is a historic town. We need to cherish and protect it for future generations. If this is approved it could set a dangerous precedent for the removal of more historic building and replacing it with new.”

And Penny Simpson, founder of the Mudeford Arts Festival said the current plans were “too close to the originals.”

She quoted the conservation officer’s comments describing part of the building as resembling ‘the character of a public toilet.’ In response, planning agent Ken Parke, acting on Mr Griffiths’ behalf, said the cottage was not 300-years-old as campaigners have claimed.

He said much of it is timber and block work additions from the 1950s.

“There is no case to preserve the building. The inspector has endorsed demolition. What we have before us is a mere replica of the building”, he told the committee.

“It is an enhanced version of a very poor quality building.”

Refusal of the scheme was approved by six votes to one after a proposal to reject from Cllr Lesley Dedman.

She said she might have been reconciled to replacing it if the proposal was smaller.

“I think it is inappropriate and it doesn’t preserve the character and appearance of the area.

“It is a very important landmark and I think this proposal makes it too dominant.”