WORKERS embroiled in the aftermath of Swanage's battle for Sea Court have downed tools after neighbours complained they were building too high.

Purbeck planning chiefs stepped in after eagle-eyed Sea Court Action Group (SCAG) members - who lost their long fight to save the Victorian house months ago - said approved plans were being ignored.

So developers voluntarily stopped work on Friday, October 26, so council officers could check the Taunton Road site.

Developers are converting the house into five flats and building eight new apartments next-door.

Hours before work stopped SCAG spokesman Bett Paxton-Brunning had pleaded with district planners.

She said: "Judging by the height of the ground floor of the new building that can be seen on site right now - the height has been increased by approximately two metres."

Since then Purbeck District Council building control head Mike Grime has promised to investigate.

Neighbours lost their fight against the flat complex, which has been the subject of three planning appeals, earlier this year. Builders started the conversion work this summer.

Mrs Paxton-Brunning said: "The effect of this increased height, if not stopped, will be intolerable for all the neighbours. It will increase the loss of sunlight and daylight, cause overshadowing and exacerbate the loss of privacy."

Campaigners say the extra flats will ruin the Victorian character of Sea Court, built in 1894, and the one-time home of celebrated artist George William Joy.

Mrs Paxton-Brunning said: "We had been given an assurance, in writing, by the senior planning officer in February 2006, that any changes in conditions would mean that a planning application would be needed and that we would be informed.

"This fiasco has taken a huge amount of our time and has adversely affected the quality of our lives.

"All we are asking for is fairness and protection and for this matter to be dealt with urgently."