THE HISTORIC site of one of Malvern's oldest businesses could soon be demolished to make way for houses. 

A planning application to bulldoze the existing buildings of the former Morgan Blacksmiths at 7 Upper Chase Road and build three new houses has been lodged with Malvern Hills District Council. 

Some locals have expressed sadness about losing the buildings, especially the parts of the Victorian-era forge. 

Others, however, are in favour of the demolitions, with one consultee saying that the buildings are an eyesore and in a dangerous condition.

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The application to demolish the buildings and build the homes has been submitted by Richmond Construction, a building company based in Malvern. 

However, part of the original forge building will be saved from the bulldozers.

A consultation has taken place where those living nearby could have their say on plans for the site. 

The site contained a forge as well as a coach-building facility.

As well as parking and vehicle access, the site includes five separate but adjoining workshops, built around 60 years ago, that will be demolished under the development proposals. 

Three of the buildings are single-storey open workshops and the others are two-storey, with former offices and an ironmonger on the first floor with workshops on the ground floor. 

In addition, the original forge, built in 1868, is along the left-hand side of the northern boundary of the site. 

Around two-thirds of the original forge would be demolished under the plans.

However, the remaining third would be retained as a workshop.

The buildings have all been described in planning documents, seen by the Gazette, as being in a very poor state of disrepair.

William Reynolds established a forge and carriage works on the site in 1868, naming it the Chase Works.

The Morgan family bought the forge in the 1920s and used it for shoeing horses and casting metal pieces. 

Den Morgan took over the business in the 1940s and his son Grant later became owner. 

However, the forge and metalworking business closed for the final time in June 2023. 

At a general meeting held in February 2023, it was decided that the firm would be voluntarily wound up and administrators were appointed.