A family's plans to convert a crumbling Grade II listed chapel in Seend Cleeve into a four bedroom home have been scuppered by the refusal of planning permission.

Councillors on Wiltshire Council’s eastern area planning committee were split about the proposed conversion of the former Methodist chapel and building of an extension by Julian Mattock, who currently lives in Bath but whose family have lived in Seend Cleeve for several generations.

The chapel was built in 1849 but sold and lapsed from religious use in 1979. The chapel is run down, but the graveyard is still run by the Methodist church and tended by the Mattock family.

The parish council and five neighbours objected. At the meeting in Devizes resident Julie Brokas likened the proposed three-storey zinc cladded extension to an industrial building.

Marie Schruff, the partner of Julian Mattock, told the committee: “Julian grew up in Seend Cleeve and our children will be the sixth generation to grow up there. His parents gave us the chapel. Its setting, history and role within the village is very important to us.”

Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire councillor for the area, told the committee the only contentious part of the plan was the size of the extension.

He said: “The materials to be used in the extension, although clearly contemporary, met with our conservation officer’s approval. This application was nearly passed under (planning officers) delegated powers a few weeks ago.

“Our planning officers were happy to pass this application if the applicants were to reduce the size of the annexe by three quarters of a metre in height.

“The applicants are prepared to undertake a costly investment to build their own home and they should have the opportunity to do it.”

Planning officer Rob Parker recommended refusal because he said the size of the extension would dominate the former chapel.

The committee voted in favour of refusal by four votes to three.