Plans to convert Avondale Lodge care home in Hythe Road, Marchwood, into house of multiple occupation is thrown out by New Forest District Council

PLANS to convert a former New Forest care home into a multiple occupancy home have been turned down by the district council.

The owners of Avondale Lodge care home in Hythe Road, Marchwood, which is currently vacant, applied to allow the building to be used to house 13 occupants across 12 bedrooms. The application included communal bathrooms and a kitchen/dining area. Eight parking spaces on the site would be retained.

The application was recommended for refusal by Marchwood Parish Council, with concerns over insufficient parking, highway safety and the impact of additional noise and activity on residents.

Cllr Richard Young, a district member for Marchwood and Eling, said the development was not of an appropriate size or type for the “sensitive” location near a primary school, and the lack of on-site open space was “plainly inadequate”.

The application also drew 30 letters of objection, with concerns raised over traffic congestion, a potential increase in on-road parking, an increase in antisocial behaviour and the impact on property values.

Discussing the plans at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, Cllr John Sleep raised concerns over the safety of pedestrians on an already congested road, while Cllr Malcolm Wade said he felt the homes were not “high quality”.

Cllr Janet Richards said while she was “sympathetic” to the idea of a conversion in order to provide low cost housing, she would prefer to see a lower occupancy.

Members voted to refuse the application, with six votes to one.