THEY tried to save it, but city planners have finally agreed that the former Royal Observer Corps HQ should be knocked down.

The building, in Abbotts Road, Winchester, is Grade-II listed, and thought to be the best surviving example of its kind.

However, the concrete structure is in such poor repair that experts argue that it is not worth saving.

The building, which was put up in 1943, has stood empty since defence chiefs sold it in the early 1990s.

The current owner, Bayview Developments (Bournemouth) Ltd, acquired the site around four years ago.

In 2004 it asked to demolish the relic and put 22 homes in its place. City planners refused, but later gave permission for the building to be retained and converted into homes.

However, the scheme was not acted upon, and last year the developer asked again if it could be removed.

English Heritage agreed, saying the repairs needed to restore it were so extensive that any historical value would be lost.

Seven months ago, council officers recommended that it should be demolished, but members refused.

Last week, the planning committee met once more to hear if the building had any chance of being saved.

A report from officers stated that engineers checked the structure and found that its concrete was decaying.

As a result, they advised that it could not be saved.

Simon Finch, planning team leader (west), said: "It is rarely the case that your officers and English Heritage reach the conclusion that a listed building should be demolished."

Nearly 30 residents wrote to the council in agreement, urging that the structure should be removed because it was an eyesore.

Cllr Sue Nelmes, who represents the area, added that the derelict site was attracting "undesirables and vermin".

But the demolition was opposed by the No 14 Group The Royal Observer Corps.

Its former group commandant, Tony Maasz, said: "This is a unique building, and it is of national importance, and is part of Winchester's 20th century history."

Another of the regimental campaigners fighting to save the building was Neville Cullingford.

He criticised the developers for allowing the structure to decay, arguing that they should have maintained it.

"They've bought our history and it has been completely neglected, although perhaps they could be convinced of the need to repair the building," he said.

The planning committee was torn on the issue, with some members calling for its preservation, while others said it had overstayed its welcome.

Cllr Robert Johnston said: "This country was littered with such buildings after the war, and they are not Winchester Cathedral.

"They were built in an emergency and were not built to last. This is a building that needs to go."

Six members voted to demolish the structure, with three against, and two abstentions.

The building was used during the Second World War for spotting and identifying any German aircraft flying over central Hampshire.