Despite a recommendation from planning officers to refuse the application, councillors in Worcester will allow a new four-bedroom detached house to be built in the grounds of a Grade II listed building.

The application to build the house between Ivy House, 199 Malvern Road and the more modern houses to its north was approved by six votes to three at Worcester City Council’s planning committee meeting this week.

Lanning officers had recommended they turn down the application to build the house in the garden of the house first built in 1780 because it would spoil the visual aspect of the street, and the original building.

But no neighbours wrote in objection to the plans; indeed, two wrote to planners and councillors in support of the scheme.

One wrote: “The plans show [the new house] set back from the existing building. In fact, it could be said to improve our outlook as it will fill in the gap in the house line that allows us to see the backs of the council-style houses set off the Bromwich Road.”