DEVELOPERS have been accused of "cultural vandalism", ahead of a public exhibition on a prominent Caterham site.
The charge has been made after Harestone House, a 132-year-old mansion which was also the town's hospice until shutting in 2009, was bulldozed on February 9 and 10.
Campaigners had hoped the historic but latterly empty building – constructed for the town's founding father William Garland Soper – could be retained and incorporated in any future development.
But the site's owners, epilepsy care providers Independence Homes, which does not currently have planning permission to develop the land, brought in the bulldozers last week.
"This is cultural vandalism of one of the last remaining heritage houses in Caterham," said district councillor Beverley Connolly.
"It is typical of the arrogant approach of the developers.
The house, off Harestone Drive, did not have listed building protection.
But it had been deemed a building of character by Tandridge District Council.
Independence Homes' plans for a 20-bed care home, offices, 25 flats and five houses on the site were rejected last year by both the council and an independent planning inspector.
The company's exhibition on its revised plans is on Tuesday, February 26, from 5 to 9pm at Soper Hall, in nearby Harestone Valley Road.
Cllr Connolly added: "I am terribly sad that Harestone House has been demolished ahead of the planned public consultation.
"I'm very angry about this, and will make my views plain to Independence Homes at the exhibition."
Nearby resident Tony Nash, of Stanstead Road, said: "One more piece of local history disappears under the wreckers' ball, and we are left to ponder who allows this form of vandalism to continue unabated."
Some neighbours living near the demolition site also spoke last week of their shock and sadness.
In response, Independence Homes' spokeswoman Anna Richardson said: "The main building had been marked 'demolition in progress' for a number of weeks.
"Following metal thefts and subsequent flooding, the main building had become dangerous.
"The completion of internal preparatory works – removal of asbestos, disconnection of services and such like – enabled the contractors to move on to the external structure of the building, which they did on February 9.
"The advantage to both ourselves and our neighbours is that, once a suitable planning consent is secured, the building work itself can then start – and end – promptly."
Ms Richardson added: "We've taken on board comments received from local residents that they were not adequately consulted previously, and we are now seeking to engage more fully."
