A BACKLASH has been launched against ‘disgusting’ £20million proposals to demolish an historic former hospital.

Developer Taylor Wimpey has announced plans to build 170 new houses at the Rossendale Hospital site in Rawtenstall, which was closed down last year.

The developers said 20 per cent of the homes would be ‘affordable housing’.

An application for listed status to protect the building from demolition was turned down by English Heritage because of the number of alterations that had been made over the years.

Rossendale Civic Trust held a committee meeting to discuss the plans last night.

Trust secretary Kathy Fishwick said: "I think people are utterly disgusted with the way this building has been treated, not just as a hospital but as a decent piece of architecture.

"People are very upset that such an impressive building could be lost.

“Rossendale does have good buildings and architecture and if we don't fight for it now, it will be a disgrace.

"It's got to be given a chance of survival."

She said that public support was essential now to save the building and that letters expressing views on the application would be welcomed by the trust.

The old hospital began life, in part as Haslingden Workhouse, in the late 1860s and an infirmary was only established on site in 1912.

Martin Morgan, director of estates and facilities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that Taylor Wimpey had been identified as the trust’s preferred development partner and that the consultation process will lead to proposals for the site.

A planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.

The main access to the new site would be from Union Road and there would also be provision for two new parks.

Feedback on the proposals can be sent by emailing TWMConsultation@taylorwimpey.com or calling 0161 8648961 before November 7.