PLANS for the demolition of Monmouths historic cottage hospital have been registered with Monmouthshire County Council (MCC).

Redcliffe Homes, which owns the site on Hereford Road, wants to knock down the building and replace it with a block of 21 apartments and four town houses.

Town councillors have already started to express their disgust at the proposals.

The old hospital, which was the subject of a previous plan for apartments and houses, is now considered by the developers to no longer make a positive contribution to the conservation area.

Powell Hobson Architects, appointed by Redcliffe Homes in July 2008 to design a new residential scheme for the site of the former cottage hospital, said: This current proposal acknowledges that a more efficient use of the land can be achieved by a replacement building which ensures that the character and appearance of the conservation area is enhanced.

The costs of converting the building are likely to be higher than previous estimates due to deterioration and higher construction standards required, (such as sustainable homes).