PLANS to demolish a historic Victorian mansion in Branksome Park and replace it with a block of 25-flats have been rejected.

On Thursday, Poole council’s planning committee agreed to refuse permission for redevelopment of the site, raising concerns about the heritage value of the building and about the impact the new building would have on nearby trees.

The decision was made despite warnings from the applicant that the building was “condemned” and “no longer fit for human habitation” and that repairing it was “not viable”.

Wilderton House was converted from a single home into seven flats in 1958 and sold to individuals along with a covenant agreeing that they had a mutual arrangement for maintenance and repairs to the whole building.

However, this was not required of subsequent flat buyers and the planning application said that it was “unclear” if any of the current owners have signed an agreement.

Highdrive Property had hoped to be able to demolish the existing building and to build the five-storey block of apartments in its place.

Representing the firm, Darryl Howells said: “The current building is condemned and there’s no viable way to renovate it.

“Allowing its demolition will make good use of a brownfield site for the provision of 25 homes.”

However, in a report to Thursday’s planning committee meeting, council planning officer James Gilfillan said that the loss of the building would “result in significant harm” to the surrounding Branksome Park and Chine Gardens conservation area.

“Due to the size, scale and design of the proposed building failing to better reveal the significance of the heritage asset, the harm of the loss is not outweighed by the limited public benefits of the scheme,” he said.

“The proposals would therefore result in such harm as to be unacceptable.”

His view was backed by councillors who voted to refuse planning permission.