Shut-down ‘inadequate’ care home in Coventry could become a massive HMO

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Shut-down ‘inadequate’ care home in Coventry could become a massive HMO

Postby dutchman » Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:30 am

It has not operated as a care home since May 2018

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A shut-down ‘inadequate’ care home in Coventry could be turned into a massive 36-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).

A bid has been made to change the use of Milverton Gates Care Centre, on Lodge Road, in Lower Stoke, from a care home to a HMO.

The 1,730sqm site ceased operation as a care home in May 2018 and has sat vacant since, according to documents submitted to Coventry City Council.

New plans for the site have been made public this month.

Little detail has been submitted by the applicant Abrol Ltd, however floor plans reveal the applicant aims to keep the same layout as the original care home, with 36 bedrooms proposed across two storeys.

The ground floor consists of 16 bedrooms – some with en-suites – and a communal kitchen, dining area, lounge, storage rooms, toilets and reception.

The first floor consists of a further 20 bedrooms with a similar layout incorporating a communal dining area, kitchen and lounge.

The existing 17 car parking spaces and two disabled parking spaces will be retained, while two full-time jobs staff would also be employed at the site.

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Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby dutchman » Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:45 pm

Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

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Mystery around plans to turn a shut-down care home in Coventry into a 36-bed house have led neighbours calling for answers on its future use.

A petition of 54 signatures was presented to Coventry council last week objecting to a planning application to change the use of the former Milverton Gates Care Centre on Lodge Road from a care home to a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Little detail has been submitted by the applicant Abrol Ltd, however floor plans reveal 36 bedrooms are proposed across two storeys, with 17 existing car parking spaces proposed to remain.

The 1,730sqm site ceased operation as a care home in May 2018 and has been vacant ever since, becoming a target for fly-tipping.

However ward Cllr John McNicholas (pictured) said the site is too cramped for a HMO of this size as the site is surrounded on all four sides by residential homes, with neighbours concerned over exactly what the plan will be for its future use.

He said: “The residents are not opposed to the use of the building, they want to know what it will be.

“There has been great experience in this area with bail hostels which have not worked very well and they have been problematic to the local community.

“As councillors and with residents we recognise something has to happen with this property, but to have a proposal for the largest HMO in the city is not just good enough.

“The residents are looking for more information. It is a very built-up area. It is also landlocked and a 36-bed HMO would not be appropriate because of the impact it would have on the local community as they would need parking too.”

Milverton Gate Care Centre, which was run by Four Seasons, closed after it was placed into ‘special measures’ by the Care Quality Commission in 2018.

The applicant could not be reached for comment on its proposals.

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Asylum seekers? :roll:
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Re: Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby rebbonk » Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:58 pm

That was my first thought, Dutchman.
Of course it'll fit; you just need a bigger hammer.
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Re: Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby Melisandre » Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:18 pm

It was my thought too.
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Re: Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby dutchman » Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:37 pm

They've been rumbled...

U-turn over massive HMO plan at former care home in Coventry

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A bid to turn a shut-down care home in Coventry into a 36-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been withdrawn.

Applicant Abrol Ltd has withdrawn its plans to change the use of the former Milverton Gates Care Centre on Lodge Road to a HMO this week.

The bid sparked a petition of 54 signatures objecting to the application and calling for more detail on the scheme and its future use.

Only floor plans accompanied an application to the city council when it was validated in August with ward councillor John McNicholas stating last week that the submission was “not good enough”.

However, Cllr McNicholas said subsequent meetings with the applicant suggest the site could be turned into “quality apartments” instead.

He said: “Having met with the applicant I am quite optimistic we will get something good.

“It is a very constrained site which would lend itself to residential accommodation, although there would have to be alterations to the building to make it comply with regulations.

“The petition was not against the development of the building. Residents recognise it needs to be used. They were not against it, they were just wondering what it would be used for and I think now they have some answers and that is good news.”

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Re: Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby dutchman » Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:38 pm

Coventry City Council did not comment on the application, while the applicant could not be reached.


How convenient! :roll:
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Re: Mystery surrounds 36-bed HMO plan in Coventry

Postby dutchman » Thu Feb 18, 2021 6:44 pm

Care home that's sat empty for three years to be turned into flats

A shut-down care home which has sat vacant for three years is to be turned into new apartments.

Applicant Abrol Ltd had permission approved to change the use of the former Milverton Gates Care Centre on Dawson Road, Lower Stoke.

The 1,730sqm site ceased operation as a care home in May 2018 and has sat vacant ever since, becoming a target for fly-tipping.

Previous plans to turn it into a 36-bed house in multiple occupation were withdrawn last September after sparking a 54-name petition from concerned neighbours.

New plans were lodged to transform the building into apartments, initially proposing 16 units and 31 parking spaces – although this again drew some concern over the impact on parking, increased traffic, and overlooking onto neighbouring gardens.

Subsequent amendments altered the internal layout to reduce the number of units from 16 to 10 and parking spaces from 31 to 21, while a proposed vehicular access to Lodge Road was also removed.

Granting approval in January, Coventry City Council planning officer Neil Simpson said the changes “significantly reduce assessed adverse impacts” and deemed the proposal acceptable.

He said: “The application as amended has reduced the original proposed number of parking spaces from 31 to 21. This would provide acceptable parking provision for the proposed number of 10 two-bed units, including on-site visitor parking.”

The change the use of will maintain the existing access from Dawson Road.

In planning statements, the applicant said the new use was compatible with nearby properties.

They said: “Although no longer viable as a care home the property is a valuable source of accommodation.

“It has been established that use as a large HMO or a hostel would be inappropriate therefore this application seeks permission for use as apartments which is compatible with nearby uses.”

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