PLANS to demolish a historic house in Rhos-on-Sea have been withdrawn.

Residents were up in arms over Cartrefi Conwy’s proposals to demolish period property Larkfield House to develop apartments.

But the housing association has now withdrawn its application and the owner of the site has sold the property.

Campaigners: Friends of Larkfield House have been battling the development, arguing the structure is of historical significance and should have the protection of being listed building . They were supported by Darren Miller, Clwyd West MS.

This news of the withdrawal has been welcomed by Mr Millar. Earlier this year he called on the Heritage Minister to urgently intervene to safeguard Larkfield House.

Mr Miller said: “Local campaigners will be delighted that this application has been withdrawn. The demolition of Larkfield House would have been such a huge loss to Rhos-on-Sea had these plans gone ahead.

“The site has now been sold by the owner and we await news on the new owner’s intentions. Regardless, I hope that they will be sympathetic to local views on this important piece of Rhos-on-Sea heritage.”

Larkfield House is a period property and former home of the Cayley family, which is notable in the development of the aviation industry.

Larkfield House, on Rhos Road, Rhos-on-Sea, along with St Trillo’s Church Hall on Elwy Road, were the subject of an application to demolish and replace them with 17 flats by Cartrefi Conwy.

Sir George Cayley was an inventor and has been dubbed the ‘Father of Aviation’ due to his role in aviation which directly influenced the Wright brothers. They used his work to develop their own powered glider and attributed their success to Cayley.