PLANS have been lodged to demolish an empty hospital building.

Earlier this month, health chiefs lodged an application with Durham County Council for land at Lanchester Road Hospital, near Durham.

The hospital provides accommodation for a range of mental health and disability services and also has a faith centre and coffee shop.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust wants to demolish a vacant restaurant and medical records block, known as the Ferns Building, which is “no longer required by the NHS".

Planning documents state that, if approved, rubble from the works would be removed by a specialist contractor and the site levelled to the “existing surrounding landscape.” Demolition plans also aim to “reduce risk of trespassing/vandalism until such time that the site is developed.”

The council expects to make a decision by early February.

Subject to approval, NHS bosses hope to complete the demolition works by the end of March.

Public comments can be made be writing to the council until Friday, February 7.

For more information, visit the council’s planning portal and search planning reference: DM/20/00060/PND