MOND House could be saved from demolition as assessments on whether it should be classed as a listed building begin.

The 19th century building located at Winnington Works is currently subject to a planning application submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council by Tata Chemicals Europe, who own the site and wish to flatten it.

Historic England, which advises the Government on whether a building has special architectural and historical interest, has confirmed that it is considering a separate application to list the historic building, which has stood on the site since c.1899.

This was submitted by local residents, who believe that the former office building of the Brunner Mond works is a symbol of Northwich’s industrial heritage and should be preserved.

When contacted by the Guardian, a spokesperson for Historic England said: “We can confirm that we have received an application to list Mond House at Winnington Works.

“We are in the early stages of considering the application.”

Listing marks and celebrates a building's architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system so that it can be protected for future generations.

The older a building is and the fewer the surviving examples of its kind, the more likely it is to be listed.

Historic England advises the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on whether a building has such special architectural and historical interest to merit national listing.

The application to list Mond House was submitted by Lee Siddall and has received the backing of other members of the Winnington and Castle Residents Voice group, which he founded.

“Mond House was something that was brought up at the public meeting over the future of the Winnington Works site,” he said.

“Many residents want to save this historic building.

“We are hopeful that the councillors will be firmly on board and will do everything within their power to stop this historic and iconic building from being demolished.”

The campaign to save Mond House has also received the backing of Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury.

On the issue, he added: “Mond House is an important part of Northwich’s heritage, and in my view, it should be preserved, protected and modelled into any planned development.

“Northwich has a rich history, and it is extremely important that we protect that legacy as well as provide essential infrastructure, there should be no reason we can’t do both.”