PLANS have been lodged to honour a groundbreaking 18th-century physician who practised at the former Chester Royal Infirmary for 30 years.

The proposal is to erect a blue plaque – commemorating the life of Dr John Haygarth – on the railings outside the old City Walls Road hospital.

The Grade II-listed property, now known as the 1761 Building, permanently closed as a hospital in the 1990s and has since been turned into apartments.

Dr Heygarth worked at the infirmary between 1766 and 1796 and during his time in Chester became known as one of the best physicians of his time.

John Dearnley, director of 1761 Building RTM Company Ltd, has submitted a listed building consent application to Cheshire West and Chester Council seeking permission to erect the plaque.

Chester and District Standard:

An illustration of how the proposed plaque could look (planning application)

The proposed metal zinc etched plaque would include the following citation: "An important 18th-century British physician who discovered new ways to prevent the spread of fever and control smallpox practised here between 1766-1796."

In his application, Mr Dearnley said: "The 1761 Building is the old Chester Infirmary, built in 1761. It has been converted into 16 apartments and the residents have agreed to the siting of a blue plaque to commemorate the life of John Haygarth, a major figure in the treatment of infectious diseases, who worked in Chester for 30 years."

In a separate planning document, it states: "It is proposed that the plaque be sited on the railings along the centre axis fronting up the building on to City Walls Road.

"The plaque would be clearly visible to visitors, and others, perambulating the City Walls and there is adequate width of pavement to allow closer inspection.

"The proposed location has been carefully chosen to add photographic appeal being sited in line with and below the historic ‘Infirmary’ signage. The location is considered to be ideal for an inclusion into any future city wide ‘historic commemorative plaque’ trail."

Who was Dr John Haygarth?

He was born in 1740 at Garsdale in the south east of Cumbria, historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Dr Haygarth studied at St John's College, Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh Medical School and the University of Leiden, before eventually graduating from the University of Cambridge.

In 1766 he was appointed physician to Chester Royal Infirmary where he helped found the Smallpox Society of Chester, with other major cities soon adopting the group's methods, as well as the first fever wards in Britain.

He was married to Sarah Vere Widdens and lived with her in a house on Foregate Street, where their six children were born.

After his retirement, Dr Haygarth moved to Bath where he lived until his death in 1827.