THE owner of an historic manor house tucked away in Wordsley says he is "heartened" a plan to build new homes to fund vital restoration work has been given a reprieve.

Dudley Council planners recommended refusal of the scheme to build 14 two and three storey houses in the grounds of the grade II listed Wordsley Manor, over fears the development would harm bats and slow-worms on the site.

But at Monday’s development control committee meeting - councillors agreed to defer making a decision while further talks are held with Hagley developers Selbourne Homes Ltd about how the resident wildlife can be protected.

Councillor Geoff Southall said: “They haven’t done enough to address any mitigation strategy, but providing they can do a bit more work in terms of protecting natural species I think the committee might be more inclined to look favourably on it.”

Manor house owner Christopher Firmstone, an architect turned painter, says the project is necessary to cover the £400,000 costs needed to restore the 18th century building - which is crumbling away in parts.

The 73-year-old grandfather-of-five said: "I'm very heartened by the outcome of the meeting.

"I'm very pleased the council is clearly taking this very seriously - it's an important proposal in view of what's at stake here.

"The house does need a lot of money spending on it. Money I can't afford. The proposal will enable me to spend a considerable amount of money on the house. If that's not forthcoming selling it certainly will be one of my options, but it's not something I would consider lightly.

"It was my home when I was a child, but my family have been here since 1850. I inherited the house about 20 years ago and my wife Joan and I have lived here for about 17 years.

"The fact that they seem to support the proposal in principle is a very positive step. I just hope now that various differences of opinion about the mitigation strategy for the slow worms and bats can be resolved."

Mr Firmstone said - however - said he has "never seen a slow worm" on the site in his life.

He added: "Slow worms aren't rare but this house is unique.

"I hope between the various parties these differences can be resolved. I've been working on this for four-and-a-half years."

The property, built in 1757 for the family of a Black Country businessman, has around 20 rooms and even includes a cinema on the top floor, built in 1930 by Mr Firmstone's father.

"It's not up and running but it's still there - it shares the top floor with my studio" he said.

Mr Firmstone, who spent 12 years restoring the Strand Block at Somerset House in London, said: "It was in the most terrible state when I inherited it - most people would have run a mile but I was very committed because it was the family house and I've always been proud of my Black Country roots.

“It wasn't something I wanted to walk away from and having done quite a bit of work in the conservation field I was perhaps better prepared than most people to tackle it."

He said he carried out certain restorative works when he inherited the building but he ran out of funds and has been unable to complete any further work that would not destroy the historic fabric of the building.

He added: "It still needs half the roof doing and the wings - which if they're not dealt with will simply collapse. It's come to quite a critical situation. They're in an advanced state of dilapidation.”

The application is the fourth affecting the site. In the 80s separate plans for ten and 12 detached homes were refused and an application for 14 houses was withdrawn in December 2009.

As well as the concerns raised by Natural England - the latest plan has also prompted residents worried about the effect on wildlife, flooding and traffic problems to submit a 106-name petition objecting to the development.

Council officers, however, say the scheme would not increase the risk of flooding and neighbouring roads could accommodate extra traffic.

Mr Firmstone also believes the development - which would leave an acre and a half of land with the house - will still leave "ample places for bats to roost".

Developer Gavin Warr from Selbourne Homes said he was positive a compromise to suit all parties could now be found.

He added: "We feel with a little bit more work we can take it back to committee and get an approval.”