Calls to demolish a controversial Newport house – labelled ‘an abortion in the landscape’ – have fallen at the final hurdle, but the National Park says lessons have been learnt from the saga.

A request to issue a discontinuance order to remove Bettws Newydd as built, made by the Bettws Newydd Opposition Group (BNOG), was discussed by the National Park’s development management committee on Wednesday.

Officers recommended that no action was taken, and said compensation amounting to around £500,000 could have to be paid to the house’s owner.

But members were concerned about a reference to the impact of the structure as being no more than localised in the officer’s report.

Richard Howells said: “I think that is an extremely dangerous thing to say. I am very concerned that this is the view of the authority.

He added: “We are in a no-win situation here and we have little alternative.”

Mr Howells also paid tribute to the dignity and respect BNOG had shown.

Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse said: “We did not like the planning application, we turned it down, but it can’t be a sensible thing to fight it further.

“I agree with BNOG that it is an abortion in that landscape, but there is nothing further we can do.”

Gwyneth Hayward added: “I would like assurance that this does not constitute a precedent, and would like to make sure that there is no opportunity for someone to do this to the beautiful national park again.”

The planning officer told members that a review into the matter was being undertaken.

Mr Howells said: “Mistakes were made by this authority, we put our hands up and admitted it.

“We are letting the people down if we do not learn from this incident.”

Members voted 13 to one to support the officer’s recommendation.

Following the decision BNOG said: “This was, we regret, all too little and too late.

“The town of Newport, and all our visitors, are now saddled with an eyesore of a building that has driven a ‘coach and horses’ through the planning rules.

“Despite huge efforts by campaigners, the developer has got what he wanted in the end, despite so many planning policies not complied with and so many planning rules flouted. There is something seriously wrong here.”