Decision due on Seaford care home conversion into flats

On Wednesday (July 1), Lewes District Council’s planning committee are expected to consider proposals to convert the Bybuckle Court nursing home in Marine Parade into six apartments. 

While no objections have been raised and the proposals are recommended for approval, the applicant behind the scheme is serving district councillor Jim Lord (who co-owns the facility with his wife and fellow district councillor Sylvia Lord).

If enacted, the proposal would lead to the loss of a working care home, however this is not considered to be an issue by council planners.

In a report to be considered by the committee, a council planning officer said: “The residential home is still operational; however there is no policy objection in principle to the loss of the home and the conversion to residential. 

“The proposal, therefore, is acceptable in principle providing the development would be designed to a high standard, respect the character of the area, and would provide a good standard of accommodation for future occupiers in accordance with [planning policy].”

The application seeks permission to convert the building into six apartments – four two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats.

According to planning papers, two of the flats are considered to be undersized, but officers say this is acceptably mitigated through the inclusion of balconies and outside space. As a result, planning officers consider the flats would provide “a good standard of amenity.”

Only five parking spaces are to be provided as part of the proposals, however, this is also considered to be acceptable as long as the spaces remain unallocated.

For more information on the proposals see application reference LW/20/0058 on the Lewes District Council planning website.

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