Concerns over Victorian Whitchurch mansion set for demolition
Further concerns have been raised about plans to demolish a late-Victorian mansion in Whitchurch.
Wrekin Housing Trust wants to build a medical centre and housing development in the town.
The Pauls Moss scheme proposes knocking down the original house built by Edward Philips Thompson in 1897.
But calls have been made to save the building and incorporate it into the new development.
Shropshire Council's natural and historic environment manager, Andy Wigley, has now objected to the plans on behalf of the department.
He said: "We consider that the proposed demolition of Pauls Moss house would cause substantial harm to the significance of the Whitchurch conservation area.
"We have no objection in principle to the demolition of the existing later 20th century extensions and sheltered housing adjoining and south-east of the historic Pauls Moss house. For this reason we could support a sensitively designed redevelopment scheme for the site which retains the former mansion."
If the plans are given the go-ahead, the scheme will comprise 74 residential units, a health centre, pharmacy, central hub space of cafe and community rooms, and 85 car parking spaces.
The plans are supported by Whitchurch Patients Group who say healthcare facilities and specialist housing are “much-needed” in the town.
But nearly 200 people have written objection letters to Shropshire Council asking for the plans to be amended and to retain Pauls Moss House which was designed by the architects of the Cunard Building on the waterfront in Liverpool.
In January, resident Zoe Cooper has submitted an application to Historic England to get Pauls Moss House listed building status which would restrict what could be done to it.
Mr Wigley added: "It should be noted that in addition to the proposed demolition of Pauls Moss, we also have serious concerns about the design of the currently proposed replacement retirement living scheme, health centre, pharmacy and community hub building in terms of the impact a building of this size, scale, massing and materials would have the character and appearance of the conservation area and the settings of nearby listed buildings."
