Plans to demolish a “rare” 18th century farmstead at Llan Ffestiniog have been refused.

Archaeological and historical experts described the derelict Gelli Dywyll site at Cwm Cynfal as a traditional structure with “historical and archaeological importance”.

It was described as an “increasingly rare” building that “warranted preservation”.

Eryri National Park Authority planning note it had been entered on the Historic Environment Register as part of a “high-level thematic register of historic farmsteads, intended to inform future rural land management”.

The applicants wanted to demolish the building and lean to, and build a new replacement, two-storey dwelling and install a septic tank.

It was a re-submission of an application rejected earlier this year. The report noted the applicant had “failed to provide substantive justification for the demolition and subsequent replacement of a traditional building,” and that the scheme went against policies.

Because of its “design and massing” it would also “not be compatible with the capacity and character of the site and locality”.

It was again rejected at the planning authority’s meeting on 9 September.

Reasons for refusal included the lack of justification for the demolition of a locally listed historic building, design and massing of the replacement dwelling and a lack of details to inform a habitat regulations assessment.

The property was described as now being “substantially deteriorated,” with “water coming in”.

The new build would be “significantly bigger” than the original property, and the plans were considered “out of character, dominant and detrimental to the area,” the meeting was told.

Officers concluded the plans would be “harmful to the character and appearance of the area” and that the design “failed to demonstrate a landscape-led approach”, and noted demolition of a building entered on the Historic Environment Register was “clearly contrary” to policy.

A vote was taken and a proposal to refuse was passed.