A former care home in Ryde Town Centre, which closed 3 years ago after patient safety concerns were raised, could now become a bed and breakfast.
The change of use of Cornelia Heights could also provide 4 residential flats.
In April 2019, residents of the home on George Street were moved out after safeguarding concerns were raised by the Isle of Wight Council and Care Quality Commission.
A decision was then made by the then-owners to close the 21-bed facility, at which point the council decided not to renew its licence to operate. Permission was given to turn the care home into a temporary home for workers in January 2021 but was never acted on.
Instead, new plans have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council by its latest owner, Karrie Mellor, to change part of it into a bed and breakfast and the other into residential flats.
Plans show the ground floor would be split in 2 — with one half providing seven rooms for bed and breakfast, with a dining room and reception area.
The other half would be staff accommodation, with a 4-bedroom flat, a staff office, laundry facilities and access to the B&B reception. On the first floor, plans show 4 1-bedroom flats.
The building is Grade II listed and while changes are proposed internally, ‘minor’ external alterations are proposed to the rear of the building, including balconies added to the bedrooms of the ground floor flat.
You can view the application, 22/01876/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 23rd December.
Island Roads has commented on the application to recommend conditional permission, subject to the installation of 13 bike racks. No car parking is proposed as part of the application as it is in the town centre and can be easily accessed by public transport.
So a home that could hold 21 residents is forced to close by IWC and causes a shortage of beds, leading to bed blocking at St Mary’s and higher cost placements at money grabbing large companies. Why does the IWC not provide extra support/staffing to keep these homes going,in long run helps residents and NHS and would save us council tax payers. So many homes have closed and not just costing financially but people’s well being and in some cases their lives. I wonder just how many homes have closed in last few years?.
IWC needs to spend a little to save a larger amount, instead they do it the other way – cut services that help many and then pay more for individuals and help less.
Whilst people still vote conservative because they thing it makes them middle class this kind of thing will continue.
Can the large van outsideworking on the place desist from parking straight across the pavement please, it’s awkward for the disabled and we have to walk in the road (if we can) or turn back. Thank you.