THE TRUSTEES of a Hampshire MP who died in a blaze at his stately home have applied for planning permission to rebuild it.

Michael Colvin MP, who represented the Romsey constituency, and his wife Nichola died in the fire which destroyed their home, Tangley House, in February 2000.

Now an application has been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council planners to rebuild the 18th century house near Andover.

The application includes the reconstruction of one residential dwelling accidentally destroyed by fire on the original site, which measures in at 1.5 hectares. The colour of the brick walls and clay roofing tiles will be the same as the remains of the existing property, which was valued at £3m.

Vehicle parking, access to the highway, surface water and foul sewage plans will also be as existing.

No trees or hedgerows will be felled.

The plans have yet to go before the council's planning committee.

An inquest into the deaths of Mr Colvin, 67, and his wife, 62, revealed that smoke detectors had not been fitted at the house.

The inquest also suggested it was a candle that had started the fire in the mansion.

The Colvins' son, Jamie Cayzer Colvin, and agents Dreweatt Neate of Newbury declined to comment on the application.

Mr Colvin jJr headed a fire safety campaign to urge older people to fit smoke detectors to their homes after the tragedy.