Campaigners in uproar are asking planning chiefs to ”save a piece of history” and not demolish a historic 1400s Hampshire flint cottage.

New owner Simon Smith has submitted plans to demolish the cottage called Hiawatha in Swanmore, dating back to Henry VIII’s days as king, and replace it with two “luxury” homes, said online petitioner Daniel Abbott.

The new development submitted to Winchester City Council for two four-bedroom modern homes with parking for three cars and gardens has come up against protesters. 

The “Save Hiawatha – Stop the Demolition – Stop the Development” campaign was started two weeks ago by Daniel James Abbott, Eric and Peggy’s eldest grandson. The online petition now has 651 signatures. There is a website on Linktree and there have been leaflet drops to residents.

The online petition wants people to show the council that Hiawatha’s history, biodiversity and connection to the community are worth protecting. It said: “That villages are more than a postcode or a profit opportunity.”

The planning application gives no indication as to why the developer wants to tear down the well-regarded, historical and beloved home in Swanmore.

There are also currently 120 letters of objection to application reference 25/00665/FUL for the home’s demolition on the Winchester City Council planning portal. The last day for submissions is April 29. Planning chiefs will make a decision by May 21.

Objecting to the plans, Melissa Norton said: “What a crying shame history could be wiped out. Please grade the building instead and save a piece of history.”

David Bridges, also objecting, said: “Hiawatha is a historic dwelling in a prominent position and is one of the last traditional flint cottages in the village. It should be grade-II listing due to its historical significance. 

“To replace this historic traditional Hampshire dwelling with two modern houses would be detrimental to the historical architecture of the village and should not be allowed to happen.”

A third objector Roisin Smith said: “These beautiful homes are being demolished and replaced with homes not fitting the history of the village.”

Eric and Peggy Abbot, owners of the “Hiawatha” cottage in Chapel Road sold their cottage in good faith believing it would be lived in by the new owners, said the online petition. 

It added that when Eric Abbot, 94, sold his home he was reassured that it would go to a family that would treasure it, as they had. Eric with wife Peggy and four generations have lived and raised their family in Hiawatha.

The modern house building materials to be used include render, brick, timber cladding, metal frame doors and windows. The roof will have mock bond fibre cement tiles with solar panels and both will have porches over the entrance door.

Winchester City Council’s planning department has set May 21 as a target date for a decision on application Winchester City Council’s planning department has set May 21 as a target date for a decision on application