Flats plan for former nursing home

A FORMER Stalybridge nursing home could be turned into 33 flats if a plan is given the go ahead.

Carson House has stood empty for more than two years after closing and has been up for sale for a price in the region of £1 million.

Carson House Plan

Now a developer has submitted an application to transform the property into apartments, including three in its basement.

And according to Cassel and Fletcher Property Management, they already have the support of Tameside Council.

Documents lodged on behalf of Noah Fletcher of the firm, based in the Prestwich, Manchester, described the proposed properties as ‘individual high quality one-bedroom apartments’.

It also says they will demolish an existing elevated walkway to the property, reinstate the windows and doors and convert the loft area into more apartments.

A total of 12 lights will also be installed into the roof and the interior will be remodelled.

Carson House was originally designed as a Sunday and day school. The date plaque on the south eastern gable of the building confirms it was originally built in 1871, but later rebuilt and enlarged in 1882.

It was used as a nursing home until it closed suddenly, while people were still living in it, and put on the market.

Former Carson House Nursing home. Photo by Gemma Carter

However, in recent months, it has been the site of fly-tipping and vandalism, which Cassel and Fletcher hope to reverse.

In documents, they stated: “The building’s vacancy is evidenced through broken and boarded up windows, overgrown vegetation, as well as well as the considerable level of fly-tipping which has taken place at the site.

“By virtue of the age and character of the original element of the building, it is considered to make a positive contribution to the conservation area.

“However, the building’s vacancy, together with the insensitive alterations to the building, are considered to negatively impact the visual quality of the site.”

Carson House closed its doors in October 2018 in a move that saw 74 carers and staff lose their jobs, 35 residents forced to be re-homed and a mountain of unpaid bills to agencies that provided carers.

And the family of resident William Whittaker claim the upheaval of moving was a contributory factor in the death of the 79-year-old four days after he was forced to leave.

Staff were not paid for the last seven weeks that the home was open, causing untold issues with a number claiming they were in danger of losing their homes.

It was given an ‘inadequate’ rating by the Care Quality Commission in a report published on May 12, 2018.

Agents The Landwood Group, whose for sale signs are still on the building, pointed out the 45-bed home has, ‘development potential, subject to planning’.

And Cassel and Fletcher also claimed that having consulted Tameside Council before submitting their application, the authority indicated it would be in support.

They added: “Prior to the submission of the application the applicant has sought formal pre-application advice from Tameside Council.

“The response confirms the council’s in principle support for the development and also confirms the proposed car parking provision and installation of roof lights is acceptable.

“It has since been agreed with the planning officer that a phase one ground investigation would not be required given no ground-breaking works are required.

“The principle of development is considered to be acceptable, as are the external alterations to the building within the revised scheme.

“The accommodation on the upper floor of the building still needs to be reduced by at least one unit and all dwellings must comply with the national technical space standards.”

Planning permission will be determined by Tameside Council’s speakers panel (planning) committee.