A KINGS Worthy family is set to revamp their 18th century home after Winchester planners went against advice of conservation experts to approve an extension scheme.

Helen and Stephen Thomas want to open a new driveway to Wistaria, a grade II listed house in Kings Worthy.

But historic environment officers warned Winchester City Council’s planning committee that allowing cars – and potentially bigger vehicles like caravans – to park facing London Road would block views of the flint and brick building.

Alison Davidson, head of historic environment, told last Thursday’s meeting that the scheme would help to “urbanise” the main road. Kings Worthy parish councillor Ian Gordon said reversing out of the driveway would be unsafe, citing 15,735 speeding incidents in the 30mph zone over two weeks last year.

Mr Thomas, whose family of five moved in two years ago, says the driveway would be below street level and obscured by hedges.

He told the meeting: “We purchased the decaying four-bedroom family home from an elderly lady who was living alone in the property, and as a family we are committed to restoring and investing in Wistaria for a long term.

“I'm not going to be buying a caravan in the near future,” he added.

Ward councillor Jane Rutter, who stepped off the committee to support her constituents, said the revamp would “add to the tranquillity and sense of place”.

“We’ve heard how Mr and Mrs Thomas have bent over backwards in their attempts to meet the strictures of our planning policies with regards to listed buildings,” she said.

“This decision, I would suggest, is not an objective matter but clearly a subjective view, and one which I, knowing the area and property well, strongly disagree with.”

The committee first voted to postpone their decision to allow for more discussion between the family and conservation officers. But they overturned this and backed the plans after Ms Davidson revealed she would never accept a driveway facing the road. They disagreed that it would harm the building’s protected setting.

After the meeting, Mrs Thomas said the family was “very pleased with the outcome” but branded the complex planning process “inhumane”.