PLANS to demolish the old Malvern hospital to make was for a new care home should be shelved, says the town's civic society.

Montpelier Estates, a Buckinghamshire-based developer, has submitted two different applications for the proposed 50-bed nursing home at Lansdowne Crescent. One is in a modern style, the other more traditional, but both plans call for the demolition of the existing building.

Now Malvern Civic Society had rejected both plans, saying "there is no justification for demolishing the hospital".

They also want Malvern Hills District Council to appoint an independent architect to assess the hospital building and give advice on its future use.

Bob Tilley, who chairs the society's planning subcommittee, said: "Both proposed plans are too large for this site. They are too large in terms of footprint and height and will dominate the street scene and change the character of the area significantly.

"The car parking provision is not adequate. Whilst it is unlikely that any of the care homes residents will have cars, the needs of both staff and visitors will be large and the proposed 17 parking spaces is not adequate. Parking in Lansdowne Crescent is already a problem for local residents.

"The hospital was gifted by C W Dyson Perrins, a major benefactor. He employed William Henman as architect who specialised in hospital buildings. He also designed other buildings for Dyson Perrins both in Worcester and at his Scottish estate.

"The Malvern hospital includes several innovative design features, which would justify the retention of this building to illustrate the development of hospital design. Accordingly, this building has significant heritage connections both with Malvern and hospital architecture."

He also says that since the hospital is located in Malvern's conservation area, it is covered by a 2008 council policy that says "any development should not introduce any more prominent building forms than currently exist".

"The way forward is for MHDC to appoint an independent architect accredited in building conservation to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the hospital and an options appraisal to recommend how it might be adapted for future use."

James McGarry of Montpelier said the company is convinced that adapting the existing building is unviable. He said: "We can only put forward the most robust case possible. We're in the system and we can only wait and see what the planners decide."

The building has been empty sine the new hospital at Worcester Road opened its doors in 2010.