A former care home, which was closed following a damning watchdog report, could be turned into flats and a house.
Firbank, on Crescent Road, was shut in September last year by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) when inspectors found people did not receive a service that ensured they were safe.
Inspectors also said people were not cared for in a safe environment, finding a number of concerns, including unsafe escape routes.
Transform into six flats and a house
Now, plans have been unveiled by Ian Schaff, of Wight Property Partners, to transform the home, which once housed up to 19 residents, into six flats and a house.
The Victorian property, in Shanklin, would be split into four one-bed and two two-bed flats along with a four-bedroom house.
Little alteration is proposed for the building, which was extended and altered multiple times while it was a care home.
Planning documents say it is not viable to change it further to meet current care standards.
Internal, sympathetic changes
Phil Salmon, planning agent on behalf of the development, said the conversion will require internal changes that are sympathetic to the original form and provide an effective and efficient use of space.
Mr Salmon says the existing building has some design value, due to the original Victorian-villa style, and offers an opportunity to promote a sustainable residential scheme on previously developed land.
Keen to move fast
As part of the proposals, there will be eight parking spaces, and part of the garden sectioned off to go with the house.
It is hoped, should the scheme be approved, it could be brought forward quickly and ‘provide new residential units in a positive manner’.
View the plans
To view the plans (22/00317/FUL), you can view the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 4th May 2022.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
