A VICTORIAN house which is at the centre of a controversial planning application has been granted a temporary stay of execution. Councillors at the Hitchin s area committee meeting on Tuesday evening discussed an application by Tavistock Developments Ltd,

A VICTORIAN house which is at the centre of a controversial planning application has been granted a temporary stay of execution.

Councillors at the Hitchin's area committee meeting on Tuesday evening discussed an application by Tavistock Developments Ltd, based in Ivel Road, Shefford, to demolish Rose Cottage at 89 Walsworth Road, Hitchin, and erect 11 dwellings on the site.

But after a representation against the plans made by Simon Harvey of the Trevor Road Residents' Association, and one made in favour by a representative of the applicant, councillors decided to postpone their decision.

They want the chance to look at whether the house should be added to the North Hertfordshire District Council's register of locally important buildings.

Earlier that evening Scilla Douglas, chairman of the Hitchin Historical Society, gave a presentation in which she said the building, "given its Hitchin-specific importance", should be included on the register.

The house was built in 1851 and at various times was the home of members of the prominent Hitchin families of Lucas and Hawkins.

The register was last examined in 1998 but there is no way it can be reviewed and the society has proposed that interested groups be able to submit, possibly annually, buildings to be included. A council officer said she would look into it.

It is likely that the Rose Cottage application will be on the agenda for the next area committee meeting on March 6, along with the research the councillors are asking for.