A PLAN to extend a Grade II-listed building in Old Basing, which dates back to the 16th century, has been given the green light.

Father-of-two Colin Throssel and his wife Jo had applied to build a new glass-walled kitchen and a two-storey staircase atrium, and remove a modern staircase at their home in The Street.

At the latest Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council development control meeting, councillors went against planning officers’ advice in approving the plan.

Conservation officer Andrew Barber had raised concerns that the proposals would “harm the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building”.

The meeting had heard that the extensions would fill in a courtyard, formed between three wings of the house, and that one of the wings had been made in the 17th century using bricks salvaged from the ruins of Basing House.

But architect and planning agent Frank Dowling told the meeting that the current kitchen was too small and the current staircase was dangerous for the family’s three-year-old twins, as it had no handrail.

He said: “I hope that members will agree that this scheme will improve the cottage, making it fit for the 21st century.”

Supporting the application, Councillor Sven Godeson, of the Basing ward, said that the borough council could either restrict development on old homes or encourage families to live there and look after the buildings.

He said: “In this particular case, we have a family who wish to occupy it and wish to pass it on to future generations in a good condition.”

Cllr Ian Tilbury, opposing the plan, said: “If you change it too much, it becomes something completely different and that is the danger here.”

Councillors voted to approve the proposals by eight votes to seven.