Plans have been lodged to demolish the vandal-hit former maternity unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital – and pave the way for a new residential housing development.
North Ayrshire Council is seeking permission to flatten the Category B-listed building which has lay derelict in Irvine for years.
Planning notes state that works would be succeeded by a separate application for new-build housing.
Earlier this year, it was reported that more than 200 homes were to built on the site of the hospital.
The local authority say that, due to ongoing security and safety concerns, the razing of the entire building is required.
Continued vandalism and fire-raising has worsened the condition of the property, a document lodged with planners states.
A structural appraisal of the building carried out by Clancy Consulting supports this view, adding: "Externally, the building shows signs of extensive fine cracking on the smooth render finishes and severe water ingress, with most if not all, rainwater downpipes missing.
"There is also extensive damage to the facing brick finish, including some areas of differential movement, at ground level.
"Photographs taken by Police Scotland, after a recent break-in, showed extensive damage to the internals, damaged roof joists, roof coverings missing, surface finishes peeling off walls, dampness etc.
"The structural integrity of the building is further threatened by the continual and extensive vandalism and fire-raising activities being undertaken in the building.
"There is also a major health and safety concern here with the real possibility of further unauthorised access resulting in injury or even death to individuals caused by a floor or wall failure.
"We would recommend that consideration be given to demolishing the building on health and safety grounds."
A demolition plan, which will include asbestos removal, has been drawn up to safely level the building which has a combination of one, two and three-storey blocks with flat roofs, round tower stairwells and external fire escapes.
Planners will rule on the matter in due course.
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