Multi-occupancy conversion plan for former Friary Fields Nursing Home on Friary Road, Newark

Plans have been submitted to turn a former 34-bedroom care home that suddenly closed into a house of multi-occupancy.

The former Friary Fields Nursing Home on Friary Road, Newark, has been sold and its new owners have applied for a change of use.

The proposed change of use, which has been submitted by experienced landlords, would involve minor external alterations to preserve the character and appearance of the property.

According to the application, the conversion would be made, with as little intervention as possible, into clusters of houses of multiple occupancy.

Each cluster would be served by its own entrance and have communal kitchen, living and dining room areas as well as laundry facilities.

The application allows for 33 bedrooms spread across six clusters/units ­— one habitable bedroom less than when it was a nursing home.

The rooms will be targeted at young professionals.

“In essence, the property will include good quality floor, wall and ceiling treatment and repairs to all rooms with good quality furniture and fittings within communal spaces,” the application said.

There will be parking for 14 cars and a communal garden space.

Newark Town Council has objected to the application.

It said: “While it would appear that this would result in a similar number of people residing in the property, the council is concerned that the impact on neighbours and the surrounding area will be very different.

“The application provides for only 12 carparking spaces to accommodate a maximum occupancy of some 37 residents. Friary Road is already a designated residents’ parking area any significant additions to the number of cars requiring on-street parking has the potential to bring gridlock to this road.”

Friary Fields closed as a residential home suddenly after an inspection found it was unclean, unsafe, poorly maintained and not furnished to a good standard.

The change of use application was submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council, which will make the final decision.

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