An application to allow the demolition of the property at 2 Wanliss Road, one of 32 buildings that comprises the school's campus, is now being advertised on the City of Ballarat planning website.

Paul Nolan, the director of community development at St Patrick's College, said the plan to knock down the building - known as Wanliss House - was due to it containing asbestos.

Mr Nolan said there were no immediate plans to build anything in its place. However he said school authorities had been working on a wider masterplan, which is due to be made public in the coming months.

He said the masterplan would map out St Patrick College's development over the short to medium term.

The planning application, which was lodged with the City of Ballarat last month, also states that the demolition of the building would allow future development.

The Wanliss Road property was built in 1952 following its design by local architect firm L.H Vernon and Associates, according to the college's Conservation Management Plan which was lodged with planning documents,

The school then bought the building in 1974 after the original occupant died.

The college's matron subsequently lived in the house, which lies at the eastern edge of the school a short distance from Sturt Street, and the building used to act as an infirmary for those boarding at the school.

The conservation plan notes simply that the dwelling has "some historical interest" as "the infirmary and residence of the Matron of St. Patrick's College in the late 20th century."

While Wanliss House does lie in the West Ballarat Heritage Area, planning documents say it does not contribute to the architectural importance of the area as it was constructed after the "significant era of residential development" between the 1870s and 1940s.

Previously known as Kenny House, it was later renamed Wanliss House. More recently, the college's director of boarding used to live there. Mr Nolan said the address is now unoccupied.

The planning application for the demolition was submitted to the City of Ballarat planning department last month by Morton Dunn architects, which has an office on Sturt Street.

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