SERIOUS concerns have been raised over fresh plans to demolish a historic hotel to make way for a care home, apartments and a nursery.

Developers have submitted proposals seeking planning permission to demolish the Lymm Hotel, on Whitbarrow Road, and build a 66-bed care home, 45 retirement apartments and a children's nursery with the capacity for 90 children.

In April, the council turned down an application to bulldoze the site and build a 72-bed care home, 52 retirement apartments and a nursery for 120 kids.

More than 30 objections have been submitted in response to Lymm (Villafont) Ltd's new application.

The design and access statement, prepared by application agent Street Design Partnership, confirms it is a 'joint venture partnership' between Macdonald Hotels and Resorts Ltd and McGoff Group.

It added: "As mentioned at the outset, the Lymm Hotel is not an ongoing viable use for this site and will close in the foreseeable future, which could potentially render the site derelict.

"The proposals present the opportunity to provide a safe and secure development on the site, which will bring new services and alternative types of living accommodation to the locality, thus benefiting the wider community."

But Alan Williams, who is a member of the Neighbours of Lymm Hotel group, has raised concerns.

He said: "It was no surprise to see the developers have come back with a slightly scaled down plan for the Lymm Hotel site.

"The real question is 'is it scaled down enough?'

"Does trimming around 10 per cent off the care home and retirement apartments really turn it into a realistic proposition?

"The fact that the plan still includes a large nursery still gives cause for serious concern, especially given the feeling that the nursery is not really seen as a local community need at present.

"What we are up against here, of course, is a developer seeking to maximise return on their investment.

"It is quite clear that is taking priority over creating a practical, well balanced development that genuinely meets local needs.

"There has been zero consultation, or contact, from the developers this time round.

"I know many people locally would also be very sad to see the Lymm Hotel building demolished – it has been an integral part of village life for 150 years.

"With it would go another important aspect of what gives the village its unique identity."

A website has been created to help residents understand the application and to explain how they can send in their views.

For more information visit lymmhotelplans.co.uk.

The application expires on October 28.