Developers have again set their sights on the seaside home where television inventor John Logie Baird spent his final days.

Plans to demolish Baird Court in Sea Road, Bexhill, to make way for a five-storey block of 51 flats were rejected by councillors in July.

But, following a failed bid by English Heritage to win the building listed status, plans for the site have been resubmitted.

Councillors on Rother District Council are being recommended to again refuse the proposals when they meet on Thursday because of the building's historical importance and its positive impact on a conservation area.

Historians have said they are dismayed at the latest "absurd" proposals to demolish Baird Court and they have urged councillors to refuse the application. They insist it would be a travesty if the last home of the inventor of television was bulldozed in favour of more flats.

In a report to councillors, the Society of Bexhill Museum states: "Baird Court is not only an important landmark in Sea Road but was also the last residence of John Logie Baird.

"We were dismayed to read that there are plans to demolish Baird Court.

"Given the international significance of the inventor of television, it seems absurd that anyone would consider the demolition of the house where he died."

They suggested that the building would not be under threat if it was sited in neighbouring Hastings, which has capitalised on its Baird links.

Road signs going into the 1066 town proclaim Hastings and St Leonards as: "The birthplace of television."

Baird lived in Hastings between 1922 and 1924.

It was there, while working from his lodgings in Linton Crescent, that he made his historical breakthrough in transmitting images.

When ill-health forced him to give up work in the early Forties, he moved to Bexhill.

He had a stroke in February 1946 and died four months later.

His house, opposite Bexhill railway station and St Mary Magdalene Church, was renamed Baird Court following his death and a plaque was put up.

It was later converted into two flats and two maisonettes.

Then developers Domaines Du Chateau submitted plans to demolish Baird Court and nearby Maria Cottage, Villa Maria and Red May for redevelopment.

The developer pledged to retain Baird's name and plaque on the building should Rother District Council grant consent. But it rejected the bid after receiving 20 objections in July.

However, this latest application has again caused consternation among historians.

The Society of Bexhill Museum added in its statement: "The building is a vital part of Bexhill's cultural heritage.

"We are still in the fortunate position of being able to point out to residents and visitors the house in which Baird died.

"It would be a travesty to give this up for no better reason than a developer wishing to build more flats."