REBUILDING of a fire-ravaged 17th century country house hotel near Wellington has been given the go-ahead by Somerset Council planners.

Bindon Country House was partially destroyed when a late-night blaze ripped through its three-story east wing in July of last year.

Sleeping guests were dramatically rescued from their rooms as the roof began to fall in and 12 firefighting crews worked through the night to put out the flames and save the remainder of the grade two listed building.

The house is famed for being the home of Ernest Augustus Perceval, the son of the only UK Prime Minister ever to be assassinated, Spencer Perceval, who in 1812 was shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons.

Bindon House, set in seven acres of woodland and gardens between Langford Budville and Milverton, had fallen into disrepair before being restored as a luxury hotel in the 1990s, and more recently was used as a luxury wellness retreat and wedding venue.

Now, current owner Denis Romanov has been given planning permission to rebuild and repair the east wing’s roof, dormers, chimney, rainwater goods, floors, partitions, and internal finishes services.

Planning agent Leila McLelland, of Benjamin and Beauchamp Architects Ltd, said the fire had caused a partial collapse of the building, destroying a second floor converted attic room and the roof structure.

Ms McLelland said the rooms below had suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

Fortunately, however, the central historic core and west wing of the former hotel were unharmed by the fire.

Ms McLelland said the north slope and upper part of the south slope of the roof had later collapsed and the entire roof covering and structure was now in need of complete replacement.

One of three south facing dormers remained partially intact with the structure extensively damaged by the fire, while two other second floor dormers were now completely missing.

A temporary roof, scaffolding, and sheeting had been put in place to protect the structure from the elements and further damage.

Ms McLelland said: “The urgent repair work is necessary to make the east wing of the building habitable and to protect the building from the elements and any further damage.

“The proposed essential repairs will ensure the ongoing viable use of the heritage asset and will be built to match the pre-fire design.”

Council planning officer Denise Todd said the proposed work was ‘acceptable and welcomed’ and would ensure the building again became habitable with an ongoing viable use.

Ms Todd said although Bindon House originated in the 17th century, it had received a new frontage in the 19th century when it was gentrified.

Then, the west wing and entrance porch were added in about 1865 and later, about 1880, the Flemish gables and east wing were added.

The east wing was later demolished and then rebuilt in the 1930s.

Ms Todd said the application had been supported by Milverton Parish Council, while parish councillors in Langford Budville did not raise any objection.