Extension bid for former home of D.H. Lawrence rejected

The home was sold at auction for £91,000 in April

A plan to extend a former home of renowned writer D.H. Lawrence has been blocked by councillors.

Lawrence lived in the end-of-terrace three-bedroom house in Lynncroft, Eastwood, between 1903 and 1908.

The home was said to be in a "very poor state" when it sold for £91,000 in April.

An application was then submitted to extend the home to become a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO), but the bid has now been refused.

Councillor Robert Bullock, who represents Eastwood on Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "This is the worst road in Eastwood for parking.

"This property is close to a pinch point where vehicles often have to stop and reverse.

"It would make the situation even worse if there are six extra cars there."

The writer was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire

The property is set to be included on the local interest building list on the recommendation of Historic England due to its connection with the author, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It is one of a number of properties in Eastwood where the Lady Chatterley's Lover author lived, including his birthplace in Victoria Street - which is now a museum - and his childhood homes in Walker Street and at The Breach House.

Notably, the property in Lynncroft was Lawrence's last home in the town before he left for London in 1908, but he did return in 1910 to see his mother before her death from cancer.

However, councillor Philip Owen - who does not sit on the planning committee - said the home had fallen into serious disrepair.

The new owner had been planning to turn the home into a house in multiple occupation (HMO)

Speaking at the meeting, he said: "Whatever you decide, it will become a HMO - the issue of cars isn't in our control.

"Why should it be listed? D.H. Lawrence lived in most homes in Eastwood before he cleared off abroad because he couldn't stand the place.

"Any changes would be an improvement visually - it's a dump at the moment, and wants something doing."

The application was refused due to the intensification of use, but Mr Owen predicted the council would lose if the applicant made an appeal against the committee's decision.