A village has won its fight to save a £585,000 15th century cottage from being bulldozed by its owners to make way for modern 'bland' homes.
The home in Swanmore, Hampshire, which is known as 'Hiawatha', was put on the market last year by its previous owner, former company director Eric Abbott, 94.
He sold it on the condition it would be lived in by another family, who would cherish it as he had done, as his family home of more than 60 years.
But Hiawatha's new owner, named Simon Smith, soon submitted an application to Winchester City Council to tear the historic property down.
He planned to build two modern houses on the site, with each boasting two storeys, four bedrooms, gardens and parking for three cars.
