PLANS to convert an historic gatehouse which dates back to the English Civil War into holiday lets have been withdrawn after concerns were raised by a heritage authority.

The owners of Cothelstone Manor, a venue for weddings and holidays near Bishops Lydeard, had hoped to rent out the estate’s 16th century gatehouse to holidaymakers, before Heritage England stepped in to raise concerns over the proposals.

The conversion would have involved lime plastering the gatehouse’s internal walls and ceilings, creating new stairs and installing electricity to the building.

The Grade II listed manor was largely destroyed by a cannon bombardment on the orders of Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. Much of the estate was rebuilt in the 19th century - with the gatehouse retaining a Grade I listing as the only original element of the construction still standing.

Planners at Somerset Council were told the holiday let plans were “fundamental” to ensure the future of the gatehouse, which is registered as an ‘at risk’ heritage building.

The application won the backing of Bishops Lydeard Parish Council, but were a cause of concern for Historic England, the government’s heritage authority. While they said they recognised the plans could result in a sustainable future for the site, they raised “significant concerns” over the details of the conversion.

Hermionie Warmington, who runs the estate with her father, said the plans had been withdrawn after they received grant funding for the gatehouse’s restoration - on the condition no development could take place for a further five years.