A bitter and blazing row dubbed “Battle of the Balaclava” is set to finish with a damp squib.For years residents of a quiet village have ferociously campaigned against plans for an ultra modern house to be built next to a 19th century cottage.

A bitter and blazing row dubbed “Battle of the Balaclava” is set to finish with a damp squib.

For years residents of a quiet village have ferociously campaigned against plans for an ultra modern house to be built next to a 19th century cottage.

Owner of Balaclava Cottage, Peter Reynolds, who bought the property in 2004, had hoped to add a modernist black and white cube to the land, which is in a conservation area, in Lyng, near Dereham.

But villagers were horrified at the idea and set about opposing the plans each time they were submitted over fears the addition had no place in a historic quarter of the village.

Video producer Mr Reynolds has previously hit back branding residents “bumpkins” and “philistines” and calling councillors “visually illiterate.”

Eventually on the fifth application, and after proposals including Japanese, contemporary and traditional designs were refused by Breckland Council the scheme was given the go-ahead in September last year after an appeal to the national inspectorate.

But while villagers steeled themselves to witness developers move in and start the transformation of the picturesque two-storey white cottage, built by a survivor of the Battle of Balaclava on his return from the Crimean war, little happened.

And now it has quietly been put up for sale at £224,500, with the advert noting there is full planning permission for demolition of the pottery workshop, provision of a new three-bedroom detached cottage with parking, and full planning consent for an extension to the existing cottage to give a third bedroom and dining room.

Steve Banning, land manager for Land and New Homes, who are handling the sale, said: “The property has been on the market for a few weeks.

“There has been a lot of interest and there is already an offer on the table. It is unusual for a period property in a conservation area to have planning permission. That is obviously a big attraction.

“I don't think villagers are worried about what the new owners will do. There are restrictions on any developments. Any improvements will benefit the village.”

t For more information contact Land and New Homes on 01362 696044.

t To see more homes for sale visit http://edp.homes24.co.uk.