The owners of a listed Harpford house that partially collapsed on New Year’s Day have applied to fix the damage.

They were advised to stay out of Ellon House and the expert’s fears were realised as the cob wall suffered further collapses over the following days.

The Hayne Hill home has been shored up with scaffolding, but is Grade-II listed so the owners need listed building consent to carry out repairs. It was built around 1850, although the property has been ‘altered considerably over the years’.

The owners intend to rebuild the failed section of the two-storey wall and restore it to its traditional look with minimal impact on the building’s character.

The application says that of particular interest are the windows and French doors of its frontage, which are set to be reinstated.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said after the damage that the issues were likely to have been caused by water ingress over a period of time. Two crews from Sidmouth, along with specialist equipment from Clyst St George, attended on January 1 and found the occupants safe and well.

An East Devon District Council building control expert advised the owners to stay out of the building for their own safety. The authority’s planning committee will decide the fate of the application.