RESIDENTS are being urged to attend what could be the last community Remembrance at Memorial House in Knutsford.

The call comes from Charlotte Peters Rock, who is leading a campaign to save the building from demolition.

Cheshire East Council’s Northern Planning Committee voted to approve McCarthy and Stone’s scheme for 46 retirement apartments on the Memorial House site in Northwich Road.

The scheme would see the demolition of Memorial House, a former cottage hospital built in 1922 as a First World War memorial.

However the Government is deciding whether to rule on the housing scheme’s future following an intervention by Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson after he was contacted by Charlotte.

Charlotte is asking people to attend the community Remembrance at Memorial House on Sunday, November 11, to arrive by 10.45am for the 11am ceremony.

She said: “Come and stand with us for ‘The Silence’, marking the centenary of the end of the Great War.

“It has been arranged with John Morris of British Red Cross that Knutsford and District War Memorial and its Memorial Hall will be open from 10.30am, as will the car park.

“This fine war memorial, was built by local residents of the 18 parishes in Knutsford, Mobberley, Pickmere, Mere, Tatton, Toft, Bexton, High Legh,Tabley Superior, Tabley Inferior, Marthall, Ollerton, Over Peover, Lower Peover, Allostock, Nether Peover, Peover Inferior and Plumley, on land gifted to them for only that honourable purpose of commemorating their war dead.

“Everyone is welcome to stand with us at 11am to remember the sacrifice of the young men of this community and its magnificent work in memorialising ‘in perpetuity’, their actions.

“The final decision on the proposed demolition of this fine building currently stands with The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“If you have influence please use it. This place is a vital part of our history. Should he decide for demolition, this may be the last chance of residents to stand at our historic war memorial, and inside the Memorial Hall.”

A plaque on the front of Memorial House states: “This hospital was founded in memory of the gallant men from Knutsford and surrounding district who gave their lives for King and country in the Great War – 1914-1918 – their names are recorded on the tablet in this hall.”