THE latest plans for the old Malvern hospital site will be coming up before district councillors next week.

Montpelier Land Ltd has applied to knock down the former hospital building in Lansdowne Crescent replace it with a 46-bed care home.

The former hospital is in the Great Malvern Conservation Area and although not listed, it is identified in the conservation area appraisal as making a positive contribution to the area.

At a meeting on Wednesday of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee, planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.

Two earlier schemes for a 50-bed home were submitted in 2015; one in a contemporary architectural style and the other more traditional; both were refused in 2016.

Another plan for a 46-bed home was submitted in 2016 and refused on 2107; this is now subject to an appeal, with an an informal hearing date set for August 29.

The plan has been opposed by Malvern Town Council, Historic England, Malvern Civic Society, residents of Lansdowne Crescent, and the district council's own conservation officer.

Many feel that the historic building should be preserved, but Montpelier has always maintained that it cannot feasibly be converted into a care home.

The design of the latest plan is meant to echo the terraced housing on the opposite side of Lansdowne Crescent, and planning officer say: "The design of the replacement building has been sufficiently detailed to allow the proposal to be in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area".

The hospital opened in 1911, and was a gift to the town by C W Dyson Perrins, businessman and philanthropist. It closed after the new community hospital opened up in Worcester Road.

The planning meeting is on Wednesday, June 20, at 6pm in the Council Chamber, Avenue Road, starting at 6.30pm.