A BID to make Longdene House, a protected heritage asset has been made by an objector to outline plans to demolish the Haslemere landmark and build a block of 10 flats.

Resident Anthony Bennett, who is on the executive committee of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, believes the late 19th-century mansion should be preserved as an “attractive and unspoilt” substantial house that contributes to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and also for its association with railway entrepreneur James Cholmeley Russell.

But his claims are strongly contested by Longdene owner Tony Lawson, whose company Precise Construction has applied for demolition and redevelopment on the grounds the property has no features “that could be deemed to be of exceptional heritage significance to the locality”.

Mr Bennett has sent his heritage report to Waverley planners, and council heritage officer Sean Rix, Surrey Hills planning adviser Clive Smith as well as town and borough councillors, to support his view that Longdene should be safeguarded for the contribution it makes to the building heritage of the town and its association with a well-known figure.

Mr Lawson told The Herald: “Longdene House was investigated by Waverley Borough Council several years ago for possible listing, but rejected because the building was not considered worthy. Longdene has several carbuncles on its face.

“It has been much messed around and has seven extensions that add nothing to the integrity of the building. There are much better examples not corrupted by modern extensions locally.

“Our information about Russell is he was a rather less than salubrious businessman and was a receiver of railways that had gone broke. To be beatified in Haslemere, do you have to be a failed businessman?

“We had the building examined on the basis of refurbishing it rather than demolishing it, but it would not be economic.

“It loses heat like a sieve.

“The proposed new building will occupy the same footprint and be much more efficient, using recycled heat and solar power.”

Longdene House is described in the heritage report as featuring an, “attractive roof line of gables and extended chimneys… calculated to stand out on the skyline as the first important house that is seen on one of the main routes into Haslemere, from Midhurst.”

In the 1900s, the estate comprised more than 55 acres, with most of it cultivated as “pleasure gardens”.

Russell bought the property in 1906 when he was in poor health in the belief he would benefit from living on top of a hill close to Hindhead, which was known as ‘Little Switzerland’ for its supposed curative properties.

Highlighting Russell’s significance for the town Mr Bennett wrote: “It is clear his passion lay with railways, and this is where his main legacy lies, as a railways manager, investor and entrepreneur in particular in the railways of North Wales.

“One original locomotive, dated from 1906, and named ‘Russell’ in his honour is now fully restored and operational on a line operated by Welsh Highland Heritage Railway out of Porthmadog. It is said to be the basis of a character in the Thomas the Tank Engine series.

“His involvement in the local affairs of Haslemere was curtailed by his illness.

“He was a member of the Haslemere and District Conservative Club. Some months were spent each year at his estate in Scotland.

“Russell died in 1912. For his funeral he would have appreciated that an additional carriage was added to the Haslemere to Guildford train to take the entourage on its way to Merrow, where the service took place at the family burial ground.

“It was conducted jointly by the Rector of Merrow and Rev G H Aitken, Rector of St Bartholomew’s.”

The deadline for responses passed on January 19 – 10 objections were received by WBC. A decision is due on Monday, March 12.