HMO plans for empty Bognor Regis care home turned down

Aldwick House in Nyewood Lane was closed down in January 2019 by New Century Care due to ‘financial challenges’.

Developers wanted to convert the 32-bed nursing home into a 38-bedsit HMO and applied for planning permission to Arun District Council.

The plans include demolishing the rear conservatory and building a single-storey extension with alterations to side elevations, new roof lights and an extra dormer window.

But last week the change of use planning application was turned down by Arun officers.

The proposals received 62 objections raising serious concerns about parking and highway safety, overdevelopment and the concentration of too many HMOs in the vicinity.

Bognor Regis Town Council also opposed the plans.

As the HMO would result in a substantial population increase in an already densely populated area Arun planning officers felt it would adversely affect the character of the area.

And although West Sussex County Council’s highways department had not objected, Arun said it was aware that on-street parking in the local road network problems ‘are severe’ and the development would result in the generation of excessive parking demands.

The application was also criticised for the fact that for around 52 people occupying the building there would be ‘little or no usable amenity space of private value’.

Their decision report added: “On this basis, the council considers the level of activity associated with this amount and intensity of development, which derives from the quantum of development and likely occupancy levels of 90 per cent plus, combined with the site’s proximity to nearby residential properties, will result in an adverse level of harm that is both significant and demonstrable.

“The development fails to safeguard amenities of neighbouring residents, due to the increased population on the site and associated activities.”