Plans to demolish a cottage and build a single-storey two-bed house off Temple Street in Sidmouth have been refused. 

The cottage, which is located in the grounds of the Grade II listed early 19th century Ascerton House, is reportedly in poor condition and has not recently been lived in.

The new house would have had brick walls, a slate roof and access from Ascerton Road.

Ascerton Cottage, left, in the grounds of Ascerton House, centre (Google Maps)

East Devon District Council, refusing the application, said that as the development would have been "more substantial and visually prominent" than the current building it would have "adversely" detracted from the character of the setting and the significance of the listed building.

The local authority also said it would have been too close to its neighbour to the north and have had an "unduly overbearing, dominating and intrusive impact".

Click here to view the application.