THEY prayed that it would never be pulled down.

But local residents have lost their fight to save a 1920s Chandler's Ford house which had been built for a missionary.

It follows a successful planning appeal which has cleared the way for the Hiltingbury Road property to be pulled down and replaced by eight flats in a two-storey block, plus parking for 12 cars.

Eastleigh Council had refused planning permission but developers Pinedene Homes appealed.

Earlier this month scores of placard-waving protesters, angry at plans to bulldoze the house, staged a silent protest as government-appointed planning inspector Michael Evans visited the controversial site.

They were joined by Frances Bailess, the great-granddaughter of the Rev George Coultas and his wife Caroline, who spent 35 years as missionaries in Hang Chow before eventually retiring to the house called Silver Birches.

Frances, who made a special trip from Sittingbourne, Kent, to take part in the protest, told the Daily Echo - "I certainly do not want to see the house swept away. It is unique."

Residents' spokesman Ann Samuels, of Kingsway, Chandler's Ford, said the proposed flats were out of character with the area and they were still worried about road safety.

Today Mrs Samuels said: "We are obviously very disappointed at the decision. We fear that it could set a precedent and more character houses will go."

Making his decision, the inspector was sympathetic towards the views expressed about the history of the site but ruled that the house did not have any special status.

He said the proposal was not an overdevelopment of the site.

In a statement, Eastleigh Council leader Keith House said: "The local community in Hiltingbury argued passionately against this development.

"The inspector's decision shows how determined the government is to drive up the density of development.

"Our response at the borough council is to publish extra guidance to developers on areas of special character to help retain individual buildings and styles of housing within a selected area.

"Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury will be the first of these special character areas and we very much hope that more sympathetic developments can be encouraged for the future."