Heritage buildings on the site are being alternatively demolished or restored and renovated as BHS builds the PARC centre with the support of the state government.

Local residents had contacted The Courier with concerns over the imminent demolition, with one saying the destruction of 32 Pleasant Street South, known as Pleasant Home, was a particularly sad loss.

A spokesperson for Ballarat Health Services (BHS) acknowledged the community concerns, noting opportunities for community consultation with the project's architect and representatives from Ballarat Health Services had been offered previously.

Pleasant Home was demolished on Thursday morning.

A structural assessment of Pleasant Home found it in poor condition. BHS said the building had suffered foundation subsistence and water damage over time, and it was largely demolished on Thursday morning. A wing of the building containing 'the only intact and notable interior of the house' will be incorporated into the broader development and some materials from the demolition wil be reused, BHS said.

The City of Ballarat's heritage consultants provided input and advice through the planning process in relation to addressing the heritage overlay under the Planning Scheme, BHS stated.

Integrating this advice into the application the City of Ballarat granted a planning permit for the site, which included the demolition of Pleasant Home.

A City of Ballarat spokesperson said no objections to the proposed plan were received at the time of its notification.

The application for development of a community care unit incorporating demolition, alterations and additions to existing heritage buildings, removal of a tree and associated works was approved in August last year, a council statement noted.

The application was accompanied by extensive supporting documentation including a Structural Report, Heritage Assessment and Planning Report.

After extensive work with Council's heritage consultant, and after the required period of public notice, the proposal was deemed to comply under the Planning Provisions subject to conditions which require the appropriate recording of a heritage place when any form of demolition is to occur.

However the yellow brick buildings at 28 and 30 Pleasant Street, known as the Archer and Fraser houses and designed by prominent Ballarat architect 'Les' Coburn, will be retained, restored and refurbished BHS said, including the retention of their street front facades.

These buildings have been disused for a number of years and this development provides an opportunity to retain their heritage and... protect their future, BHS said.

Herbert Leslie Coburn was born in Ballarat. An architect and teacher in the city for 50 years, he maintained a practice here from 1905 to 1956, the year of his death. He taught at the Ballarat School of Mines, and his work is represented across the west of the state. He designed St Patrick's Primary School in Ballarat, the clock tower in Stawell and the Shire of Wimmera council offices among other designs.

Ballarat Health Services says PARCs are located throughout Victoria and provide the community an option to treat people who are becoming unwell, or who are in the early stages of recovery from their illness.

The facility provides short term accommodation and support within a controlled environment to help them recover and prepare them to return back into their own environment, BHS says.