RESIDENTS have the chance on Remembrance Sunday to take what could be their last opportunity to see inside Knutsford War Memorial Cottage Hospital.

McCarthy and Stone is looking to create retirement living housing and a memorial garden in Northwich Road, Knutsford.

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

The plans have and continue to face vocal opposition by Charlotte Peters Rock from Knutsford and District War Memorial Neighbourhood Forum.

Charlotte is again organising a Community Commemoration at the building on Sunday, November 10.

The building will be opened at 10.30am, and there will be a Silence at 11am.

“This may be people’s last chance to see inside our fine community-built Knutsford and District War Memorial before it is bulldozed by McCarthy and Stone,” said Charlotte.

“It is the last property on the right-hand side as you leave Knutsford via Northwich Road; built there to offer the best of country air to our injured ex-servicemen.

“We are inviting Knutsford town councillors and town residents and surrounding parish council members and residents, to join us, since this war memorial was fully paid for by the residents of the 18 parishes.

“In their grief and loss it was the residents who found ingenious ways to support their returning menfolk in what was often a lifelong series of injuries, for which this War Memorial Cottage Hospital was built, in commemoration of their dead and support for their living.

“With our change of local authority, perhaps our new Labour/Independent Cheshire East Council can find a way to stop the demolition of our people’s memories?

“It is iniquitous that where such edifices as Tatton Park’s Hall, and the other surrounding ‘Halls of the Well Heeled’, are preserved by such as The National Trust, Heritage England, the local MPs and local authorities, no major concern has yet been raised for this monument of ‘the people and for the people’.

“This country was built on the backs of ordinary people, who were sent away and slaughtered in two world wars and many other battles. Their lives must continue to be commemorated. Ordinary people matter.

“We will be remembering our youth, sent away to die, and the magnificent efforts of their caring families in raising so practical and so well-supported a memorial.”

The McCarthy and Stone plans, reference 18/0089M, can be viewed on Cheshire East Council’s planning portal.