A businessman has suffered a setback in his battle to continue using an historic building as an Airbnb venue.

Sam Marsden had attempted to overturn an enforcement notice handed out to him by Braintree Council in January ordering him to stop posting the Old Vicarage, in Castle Hedingham, on the leisure accommodation website.

Council bosses say he does not have the correct planning permission to use the property as an Airbnb venue.

Mr Marsden, who is leasing the Old Vicarage, contested the enforcement notice handed against him, but this has been dismissed by the planning inspectorate.

He must now shut down his Airbnb business by August 13.

Mr Marsden told the Gazette he was weighing up his options following the decision and he would seek further legal advice before deciding whether to launch a new appeal.

He said: “All of the allegations that were made against me were looked at carefully and many were rejected.

“In many cases it’s a disagreement of what is acceptable - especially with the level of noise.”

The notice had been enforced following complaints from residents in Castle Hedingham about noise and lewd behaviour made by guests staying at the Old Vicarage.

The Grade II-listed property was reportedly being used for a variety of celebratory events, such as stag dos and hen parties.

Residents had complained about disturbances, citing drunken behaviour, urinating in the gardens, loud music, singing, shouting and swearing.

Planning officers said Mr Marsden’s use of the Old Vicarage as an Airbnb had “given rise to an unacceptable impact upon the amenity of neighbouring residential premises”.

A nearby resident told the Gazette the decision to dismiss Mr Marsden’s appeal would bring an end to the dispute.

She said: “The unlawful commercial letting at the Old Vicarage has brought noise and disruption to the neighbourhood since early 2017. “We are pleased that the council has taken enforcement action and that the Planning Inspectorate has comprehensively rejected Mr Marsden’s appeal on all grounds. “We are hoping that the matter will soon come to an end and we can return to our normal family lives.”

A neighbour added: “We hope that Mr Marsden will now accept that his actions have to stop and that the Old Vicarage can be returned to its proper use as a family residence, as soon as possible.”

The Old Vicarage is listed on Airbnb.com where it can be rented for £400-a-night. It is said to be able to sleep up to 20 people, though the planning inspectorate stated there was evidence which suggests it has been used to accommodate far greater numbers of guests.