Care home that's sat empty for three years to be turned into flatsA 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Previous plans to turn it into a 36-bed house in multiple occupation were withdrawn last September after sparking a 54-name petition from concerned neighbours.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.”