Plans to demolish a former hospital in west Reading and build a care home in its place have been withdrawn after concerns were raised over the loss of the historic structure.

Applicant Montpelier Estates will submit a new plan to Reading Borough Council (RBC) for a care home at the site which retains the original elements of the house.

Plans were submitted to demolish the vacant Dellwood Community Hospital at 22 Liebenrood Road and turn it into a three-storey care home for the elderly.

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A spokesman for Montpelier Estates said the company was not initially aware of the significance of the existing and building but said a conversion would not be viable.

They said a new plan would be submitted, hopefully next month, “retaining the historic and most significant” part of the building and adding an L-shaped building around it.

Conservation Area Advisory (CAAC) committee objected to the now withdrawn proposal, calling it an “over-intensification of the site”.

The house is not listed or in a conservation area but Reading CAAC said it should be considered a non-designated heritage asset and it would prefer a refurbishment and possible extension of the existing building rather than demolition and rebuild.

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Additionally, Evelyn Williams, chair of the Reading CAAC, said the design “does not respect the heritage” of the Grade II listed Prospect Park, which is opposite the site.

Dellwood was the first house to be built on Liebenrood Road in the 1890s.

Although extensions have been added over the last century, the presence of the original building can still be clearly discerned, Ms Williams said.

Neighbours had also raised concerns that inadequate parking would be provided under the plans.