A 114-year-old library could be turned into a community centre as part of plans to build 36 flats next door.

Developers want to knock down Runcorn’s Waterloo Centre, in Waterloo Road, and replace it with flats for people with early onset dementia and other special needs.

As part of the plans, developer Signature Housing Group has also proposed refurbishing the grade II listed Carnegie Library next door so it can be used as a “community hub”.

Both buildings have stood vacant for several years, with the Waterloo Centre falling into disrepair and being classed as a dangerous building.

Signature’s proposals would see the Waterloo Centre, built in the 19th century and once used as Runcorn’s town hall, demolished and replaced with 36 apartments.

According to Signature’s planning application, published on Friday, Halton’s ageing population means there is a need for this sort of accommodation which will enable future residents “to live independent lives with the care and support on site, as required”.

The exterior of the neighbouring Carnegie Library, built in 1906, would be repaired and cleaned while the interior would be remodelled to provide space for community use.

During negotiations between Signature and Halton Council over the application, the council’s conservation officer said the redevelopment of the site was acceptable “in principle”, but expressed concerns about the loss of the Waterloo Centre.

In November 2018, the officer said the building had “considerable local significance” despite its current state of disrepair and was “a fine example of a late Georgian/early Victorian house”.

In light of this, the officer said, “the loss of the Waterloo Centre building will need robust justification, as will any substantial alterations to the interior of the listed building”.

In its application, Signature has argued that retaining and repairing the Waterloo Centre would add £1.5 million to its costs and halve the number of apartments it could build, making the project unviable.

Residents have until October 1 to comment on the plans, and the council aims to make a decision on the application by November 27.