A house described as the "jewel in the crown" of Smithills has been saved from demolition.

Plans to bulldoze Brynmoor on Harpers Lane to make way for a housing development have been thrown out by planning bosses.

Officers in the council's environment department refused the proposal under delegated powers on the grounds that it would affect protected trees on the site and the plan was not in keeping with the area. The scheme would not make a positive contribution to urban regeneration, they said.

Under the plans, nine three-storey town houses and four three-storey detached houses with double garages would have been created on the site.

A councillor now wants to protect the house from future development plans by having it declared a listed building.

Smithills Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Silvester hopes to convince the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to make the declaration which would mean anyone wanting to alter or demolish it would first have to obtain permission from English Heritage.

He said: "I am very pleased that officers have decided to refuse the application to demolish Brynmoor.

"This is a beautiful property which deserves listed status.

"Many residents in Smithills have lobbied me to see if this can be achieved and I have asked officers to consider this, I hope they will agree that it should be. "Smithills residents claim the house has become a tourist attraction since trees in front of it were felled last month, finally revealing the property in all its glory.

The owners of the property have said they cannot afford to live in the house any longer because of rising repair bills and extensive repairs.

They could not be contacted for comment on Friday and it is not known whether they intend to appeal against the planning decision. Officers are able to rule over planning applications without them going before the planning committee unless they receive letters calling for a different decision to be made.

The council will have to convince the Government that the building should be granted listed status because of its age, rarity, architectural merit or method of construction.

The planning application was submitted by developers Wainhomes North-west Ltd. No-one from the firm was available for comment.