A GRADE II listed heritage building in Middlewich, which is around 200 years old, is now set to be demolished to pave the way for the incoming gipsy and traveller transit site.

Cledford Hall Barn in Cledford Lane, is situated on the site where Cheshire East Council is due to build a borough-wide gipsy transit site, which will see travellers across east Cheshire directed to Middlewich.

Original plans, which received approval from Cheshire East Council’s planning board, were to transform the historical building into a shower and wash facility for travellers and proved to be highly controversial among residents.

As work has progressed, the council says it has now become clear that the building is beyond repair and has lodged a planning application to demolish it.

The planning application states: “It is intended to demolish/dismantle the existing buildings on the site known as Cledford Hall Farm and Barn due to the dangerous condition of the structures.

“The buildings are in such a poor structural condition that they pose a serious health and safety risk to any users of the site and therefore it has been recommended that the old house and out buildings are to be demolished.”

Former Middlewich town mayor and Cheshire East Council member, Paul Edwards, was on the planning committee that approved the gipsy transit site in Middlewich and was the only committee member that voted against the plans.

He said: “It’s disappointing that they’re going to get rid of a listed building and this site should never have been put there.

“It’s just forcing something in there that shouldn’t be there and now they’re demolishing a listed building. It’s just another reason to add to the list of why this site should be somewhere else.”

Historic England did not want to comment when approached by the Guardian but a spokesman said it had not been consulted on the application and that Historic England is ‘keen to work towards a solution for the site’.

A decision is due to be made on the application in August.