PLANS for development of the Miners' Convalescent Home must be redrawn again after the latest scheme was savaged by English Heritage.

Persimmon Homes submitted a second set of plans to keep the conservationists happy but they have still got the thumbs down from the heritage group.

The organisation says that re-drafted apartment blocks which would flank the Grade II listed building still did not address their concerns and were even worse than the original plan.

"Indeed, the size, scale, siting and design of the blocks would probably have an even more detrimental impact on the setting of the listed building than the previous scheme.

"We have seen no continuing justification for the amount of development on the site. In the circumstances we maintain our objection to the application."

However chief development control officer Ian Ward said he was confident that a compromise would be found and that the development would go ahead.

"The developers have indicated to us they are willing to consider the points that have been raised, to take them on board. They are willing to amend their proposals in an effort to address concerns.

"We are going to have urgent talks and negotiations because we don't want to hold up the development process unnecessarily. We realise this is costing the developers money."

He added: "I feel confident we will reach a scheme which everyone is content with and the council will be able to grant planning permission."

He said that the problem was not the size of the apartment blocks but their relationship to the Miners' Home.

However, there could be more than one way to resolve the issue.

The scheme has also come under fire from the Heritage Trust for the North West who told the council planning committee on Monday: "The proposals are far too large and will be detrimental to the setting of the listed building.

"The open space on either side of the Miners' Home provides an excellent setting for the building and this space should be preserved."

Ward councillor Don Clapham said he was concerned that the building was deteriorating while the planning process continued.

He said he would like to see Persimmon go ahead with plans for the existing building which could get permission.

"If they had gone ahead with the home itself it would have stopped it deteriorating."

He added: "I hope Persimmon come up with a scheme where the flats are reduced in height so there is not detriment to the Miners' Home itself."

Planners may reconsider the application in mid December.