A PETITION has been launched calling on council bosses to protect the ‘iconic’ former Malvern Community Hospital after the building was earmarked for demolition.
Plans to flatten the Lansdowne Crescent site to pave the way for a new care home were set to be vehemently opposed by residents who said the proposals were ‘not an option’.
Montpelier Estates acquired the site, just off Church Road, and are looking to build a 50-bed home, but the developers say they are unable to come up with a financially-sound solution to keep 104-year-old building standing.
Since the petition went live five days ago, 163 residents have backed the bid and signed it.
But despite not being against a care home on the site, Malvern Civic Society would only back a conversion of the current building and not a demolition.
Bob Tilley, chairman of the civic society’s planning committee, said: “The Malvern Civic Society vehemently opposes the demolition of the Community Hospital.
“We are comfortable with it being converted to a care home. We recognise this will require alterations but wholesale demolition is not an option.
“Conversion may be difficult but this can and must be done.
“This is an iconic building with clear strong links to Dyson Perrin who we should and must respect for all that he did for Malvern a century or more ago.”
The hospital, which is within Great Malvern’s conservation area, was opened in 1911 but had its doors shut in 2010 when it was replaced by the new site in Malvern Link.
James McGarry, director at Montpelier Estates, said once a planning application had been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council, a public consultation would be launched.
“It is in a conservation area and does have some historic merit because it was a gift given to the community,” Mr McGarry added.
“We have looked at retaining the old hospital as a care home but we can’t come up with an economically viable solution which would retain the building.
“I understand people will feel strongly because of the nature of the building but we have to find a viable solution to build here.
“If we don’t use it as a care home what will it become? It could just become a bit of an eyesore.”
