TOWN councillors are calling for plans to demolish Memorial House in Knutsford to make way for retirement apartments to be refused.

The recommendation to Cheshire East Council to reject the McCarthy and Stone scheme represents a U-turn by Knutsford Town Council’s planning committee.

The committee raised no objection to the scheme in February, but voted by three to one on Monday to recommend refusal of the plans after considering a new report by Cheshire East Council’s conservation officer.

McCarthy and Stone is seeking planning approval to build nine one-bed and 37 two-bed apartments on the Northwich Road site.

The scheme includes creating a new memorial garden to serve as a relocated war memorial following demolition of the former cottage hospital, which was built in 1922 as a First World War memorial.

The scheme is opposed by conservation officer Emma Fairhurst, who said there was no indication the building could not be retained and be brought up to modern standards and a new use.

She would welcome a revised scheme seeking to retain the existing building.

She said: “The building is recognised as a building of local value and therefore as a non-designated heritage asset.

“The proposal includes the total loss of this locally important building which is considered to be unjustified. As the application stands I do not support the application.”

Cllr Peter Coan said: “This is an historical building that is important to the town, and when the committee deliberated on the loss of this important building we were under the impression there was nothing we could do to prevent the loss of this fantastic asset for the town.

“Since that decision has been made it has come to light that there is an element of doubt over this, and there is support now from Cheshire East.”

He said in view of this new information the committee should object to the scheme.

Cllr Christopher Gray said Memorial House was not a listed or heritage status building and was not in a conservation area, and he saw no reason to reconsider the application, having made a decision on it.

Cllr Andrew Malloy said: “We have as a council attempted on numerous occasions to get it [Memorial House] classified as a local building interest, and so I there is significant grounds to identify the building as of local interest.”

The committee voted to recommend refusal of the scheme given new material facts from Cheshire East and noting the conservation officer’s report.

Debbie Jamison called for councillors to object to the proposed demolition of Memorial House, which she said was a local heritage asset.

“There are thousands of signatures on a petition, and now a Cheshire East officer have all combined to object to the demolition,” she said.

“The weight of public opinion has combined to say this is a bad move, so this is a no-brainer for this committee.

“Cheshire East Council are prepared to stand up for Knutsford – let’s not kick them in the teeth.”

Nursing care was desperately needed in the area, she said, and large houses or plots were often considered by care home providers for conversion.