A FORMER nursing home could become a large house of multiple occupancy (HMO) and several flats.

The former Ravenstone care home in Droitwich could be transformed into a 24-bed HMO with shared facilities and six self-contained flats.

The former nursing home had been part of the community since the 1980s before it closed in November 2021.

Ravenstone Droitwich Ltd, the applicant, put forward the plans after a pre-application enquiry with Wychavon District Council.

The 41-bed home would be transformed into a two-floor multi-wing dwelling, with the main building to be home to the HMO. 

Several communal spaces are proposed, including kitchen and dining rooms, a laundry room, and a games room, which will accompany the HMO.

The two-storey wings of the building will then be converted to provide the 6no self-contained flats, which will be a mixture of two, three, and four-bed properties.

The proposed development will also include an area for refuse and recycling storage and three car parking spaces.

The applicant has described the development as car-free to align with the business's sustainable goals.

On the planning application, a spokesperson for Ravenstone Droitwich Ltd said: "The scheme will help the council to meet its objectives of providing a new and more diverse supply of residential accommodation to the town centre.

"The scheme has been very carefully refined to ensure that it responds to the council's pre-application comments, and which would not have an adverse impact on the amenity of existing residents or on that of the future occupiers of the building. 

"The proposed development represents an excellent opportunity to secure the reuse of the existing land and building for a high quality and much-needed form of development.

The nursing home in St Andrews Close has closed for good after staffing, occupancy and expense issues.

A spokesperson for the home said: "We understand that this will be difficult news for our residents, their families and our staff.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly. A combination of low occupancy rates, difficulties in recruiting staff, and major expenses to bring the old building up to the standards required sadly means the home is no longer financially viable.

"We will work closely with residents, families, and the local authority to make the transition to new homes as easy as possible. We will offer support to the staff to find new roles."

The application can be found on the Wychavon District Council website by using the reference number W/23/02481/FUL.