Should former care home that is in ‘poor condition’ become seven flats?

Seven new cycle spaces will be provided if Dacorum Borough Council gives the go-ahead to the proposal for Shrublands Road, Berkhamsted.

A design and access statement lodged with the planning application says the property has an ‘extensive planning history’ from its use as a care home from 1991 to 2001.

It says: “A number of applications were made in 2002 and 2007 for the conversion of the building into flats or a single dwelling.

“The applications for a conversion to both 10 and eight flats respectively were both dismissed on appeal.”

But the statement says that the current application – because of the Planning Inspector’s previous views – has left out the previous plans for large extensions. The development has also omitted roof terraces, thus avoiding any overlooking of the private rear gardens of neighbouring properties, the statement continues.

Seven car parking spaces already at the site will be retained as part of the new plan.

There will also be a communal garden behind the development, which will be made up of one three-bedroom, three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats.

The statement says: “The last planning application was made in 2013, and was for the change of use from a care home to a single residential dwelling.” It was approved in September last year.

The property is near others that are ‘locally listed’.

But the statement says: “This is a very sustainable form of development which retains the existing building, which is in poor condition, and proposes to restore it.

“The proposals make efficient and effective use of a brownfield site which lies within a Conservation Area.

“There would be no harm caused to highway safety.”

The statement adds that even with seven car parking spaces on-site, many other spaces would be available in surrounding streets.

If planning permission is granted for the development, it could set a precedent for property conversions elsewhere in Dacorum.