A PROPERTY that could be of significant historic interest in St Albans will remain untouched for now after plans to expand and replace elements of the building were refused.

The Old Brew House on Marshals Drive is thought to have been built around 1750 but it is not listed nor located within the conservation area or locally listed.

During the course of the application, the history of the building and the site were highlighted by local residents and the Civic Society but the council found there was insufficient official evidence for them to be able to determine the history of the building with any real confidence.

A spokesperson for the planning department at the District Council said: “In the absence of sufficient information, the loss of this potential heritage asset may be detrimental to the historic environment of the area.”

She explained that the proposal to demolish the property had not been justified and therefore it was contrary to statement five of the government’s planning policy which looked to conserve historic environments.

In August of this year plans were submitted for a replacement two storey detached house with accommodation in basement and roof space following demolition of the existing detached dwelling.

Officers from the planning department visited the site and identified sections of the house that were likely to be of historic interest. Further research of the council’s records also revealed that The Old Brew House and The Stables were present on the Council’s historical maps from at least the 1880s and it is highly probable that the property once formed part of the Marshalswick Estate.

The Council’s archaeology department also believe that the site of Marshalswick House may lie beneath 52-56 Marshals Drive.

Peter Trevelyan, vice chairman of St Albans Civic Society, said the society welcomed the decision to preserve the area’s character.