A COUPLE'S plans to move an old orchid house have been dashed by a Bristol planning inspector.

Isobel Griffiths and Simon Gunstone wanted to move, reconstruct and repair the stone-built structure at their Grade 2 listed home in Bath Road, Bradford on Avon.

Wiltshire Council refused their plans last August and now planning inspector R C Kirby has dismissed their appeal.

The orchid house structure is believed to date from the late 1800s.

The historic interest of the appeal property centres on the original Maplecroft Farm development, which includes, amongst other listed buildings nearby, the Grade 2 listed Maplecroft.

The couple wanted to add a second floor and a roof to the single storey structure, significantly increasing its height and adding 70 per cent to its volume.

Planning officer Ben Phillips said: " The changes to the building would be significant and the new building would be materially larger than the building that it is intended to replace. I consider that the proposal would comprise inappropriate development in the Green Belt."