Plans to convert former St Leonards language school into flats

In an application submitted to Hastings Borough Council, planning permission is being sought to convert Gensing Manor – a four-storey 19th century villa on the corner of Dane Road and Charles Road – into 19 self-contained flats.

The building already has planning permission for conversion into a residential care home, but the applicant says no care home operators have been willing to take on the project.

In its application, a spokesman for applicant said: “This application seeks to ensure the long-term viability of the building and wider site, through sensitive adaptation and considered new development, by providing high quality residential accommodation.

“The development would also allow for substantial improvements to be made to the existing house and grounds, safeguarding its future

“The proposals set out here provide 19 flats, made up of seven studios, eight two-bed units, and four three-bed units. 

“Thirteen of the units are located within the existing building, with six further units provided in a new extension located on the north side of the existing property.

“The extension is of the same footprint and massing as the previously consented scheme.”

While within the St Leonards North Conservation Area (and directly adjacent to the Markwick Terrace Conservation Area) the building is not itself listed. 

However, the applicant says the proposals will seek to improve the current appearance of the building while the planned extension will be “sympathetic to the existing architectural form.”

The building would only provide 12 off-street parking spaces, although the applicant says the number of trips generated would be fewer than the building’s previous use as a language school. 

The applicant also argues that it would not be economically viable to provide affordable housing as part of the development.

For further details of the proposals see application reference HS/OA/20/00546 on the Hastings Borough Council planning website.

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