A HISTORIC farmhouse once leased by famous author Daniel Defoe is set to be demolished.

Tubswick, in Mill Road, Mile End, was devasted by fire in December last year, and now its owners have applied to Colchester Council to flatten the house.

The Grade II listed building was empty and undergoing refurbishment at the time of the fire.

Liz Gray, chairman of Myland Parish Council, is worried dense housing will built on the site.

She said: “When it was damaged by fire it was unbelievable. I was heartbroken.

“If they flatten it, there will be more ‘rabbit hutches’.

“It will be very dense if they build there, and I don’t want to see it as houses unless there’s just a couple of decent ones.”

A report prepared by historic building specialists, the Morton Partnership, outlined the damage to the property.

It reads: “Rebuilding is, of course, entirely possible. However, this would require new floors and a roof, as well as some rebuilding of brickwork.

“If this option was undertaken, we would suggest less than 40 per cent of the completed building would be either using in-situ historic structure or salvaged fabric.

“On this basis, we would question if the building retains sufficient ‘special interest’ to warrant rebuilding.

“Our own view is it does not, particular as the building does not contribute to the street scene, being concealed with trees and heavy vegetation.

“Even when it was not ‘overgrown’, it was not readily visible to the public highways or the park alongside.

“On this basis we do conclude, unfortunately, that in this case demolition should be considered, as the remaining fabric will have lost much of its special interest.”

The 300-year-old building had stood empty since owners Adrian and Faith Richardson moved out in October 2008, so it could be renovated.

The house is famous for its connection to one of Britain’s most famous authors, Daniel Defoe.

Defoe, described by Colchester historian Andrew Phillips as the “Jeffrey Archer of his day”, wrote the classic novels Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders.

Tubswick was one of a number of local properties leased to Defoe on the Severalls Estate.

He is said to have paid the then huge sum of £1,000 for a 99-year lease. Defoe’s lease ended in 1821.

Neither Adrian or Faith Richardson were available for comment yesterday.