PROPOSALS to convert an Eastbourne care home into flats are to be considered by town planners next week.

On Tuesday, Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is set to debate an application to extend and convert Meads House – a residential care home in Denton Road – to create nine new apartments.

The proposals include plans for an extension at the side and rear of the existing building, which had been approved as part of an application in February last year to expand and refurbish the care home. While the design of the proposed extension has not been significantly altered, the earlier application has been abandoned as developers say it would not be financially viable to refurbish and extend the care home.

In a design and access statement, a spokesman for the developer said: “There are a number of issues with the current accommodation which impact on the day-to-day operation of the house and the quality of accommodation being offered.

“In order to address these issues a major overhaul of the existing building is required.

“After planning approval was achieved to extend the care home numerous building surveys were undertaken and detailed costs for the refurbishment works and extension were drawn up. These have proved, however, that it is not financially viable to preserve and improve the existing house and to implement the proposed design of the rear extension.”

As an alternative, the developer is instead seeking to convert both the building and the extension into apartments. While the exterior design of the extension has already been approved, developers will need new planning permission in light of the change of use.

Despite the similarity of the designs, the fresh application has met with a large number of objections from local residents. Council planners report they have received letters of objection from 37 individual addresses as well as an objection on behalf of the Meads Community Association. Despite these concerns, planning officers are recommending the application be approved.