ELEVENTH hour moves to save a 'fascinating' early 18th century Leominster house from destruction failed when developers sent in a bulldozer and a demolition crew.

Local people were shocked and Leominster Civic Trust's leader was dismayed when contractors began knocking down St Botolphs, in Hereford Road, to make way for a major new housing development.

Outline planning permission has been granted for up to 25 homes on land adjacent to the old house. The approval does not include the site of the house.

County planning officials were this week expecting a fresh application to add the site to the development area.

The 'gentrified' merchant's house thought to date from the 1720s or 1730s, was full of character and had many original features, according to civic trust chairman Duncan James, an expert on the area's old buildings.

"It's a great shame we are losing this house," he said.

The dwelling was not listed as being of historic or architectural interest. Mr James sought 'spot listing' - an emergency procedure to protect a threatened building.

The trust leader wrote to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on October 17 requesting St.Botolphs be referred to English Heritage for listing.

There was no reply. Later telephone calls 'got nowhere'.

County senior planning official Bill Bloxsome said council officers inspected St Botolphs after a plea from the civic trust.

"It was certainly a building of local interest but we did not think it met national criteria for listing," said Mr Bloxsome. It was unfortunate that there was no 'local list' category, he added.

Duncan James said the 'fascinating' building contained early 18th century doors, surrounds, fireplaces, a stone flagged central hall and 19th century staircase. It stood at or near the site of the ancient St Botolph's Well, a religious site of some significance in bygone Leominster.

A Tewkesbury demolition firm was at work on the site earlier this week. A housing development is planned by Westbury Homes, whose regional managing director Alan Perry said the firm had bought the site and was making it safe 'by securing boundaries and demolishing the house'.

He added: "Whilst the building is of considerable age it is not a listed building and its structural integrity was in question."