SIGNIFICANT works are planned at the site of a Chester village Grade II-listed building on the Eaton Estate.

Plans have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council for repairs and other works to take place at Police House on Hill Road, Eccleston, by the Trustees of the fourth Duke of Westminster's 1964 Settlement.

The works include the demolition of a single storey extension to the north of the former police house which planners say is "not appropriate and detracts from the character of the listed building".

The kitchen that is currently in the extension will be re-housed into the lounge area of the main building, while the space created by the demolition will be used to create a courtyard.

The current courtyard will become a boot room and corridor area providing access to the utility and toilet areas.

It is also planned to reconfigure the first-floor bathroom in the main building slightly, relocating a partition wall.

A heritage statement by Cadnant Planning states: "Any interventions to the historic fabric have been kept to the minimum required and while the proposal does affect the fabric of the building to a slight degree, there will also be an element of restoration and improvement through the removal of an inappropriate 20th century extension."

The former Police House is said to be historically linked to the development of Ecleston and its redevelopment in the late 19th century. It is also attributed to the well-known architect John Douglas.

The application added: "In terms of the potential impact the changes proposed are minimal, and the new extension and courtyard will be located so that they do not impact detrimentally on the setting of any historic asset as they remain screened by the existing yard walls and buildings.

"It is therefore considered that the proposed alterations will not have a detrimental impact on this listed building, on the setting of any of the other nearby listed buildings, or the Eccleston Conservation Area."

Comments on the application should be made via the council's online planning portal by December 2, using reference number 21/04195/FUL and/or 21/04196/LBC.