Flats plan for ex-care centre in Kirkby

A planning application has been submitted to Ashfield District Council, the local planning authority, seeking permission to redevelop Kirkby House, a former “residential care centre”.

Developers want to demolish the existing bungalow, sheds and boundary walls, construct 16 dwellings and convert Kirkby House into three apartments.

The original property is to be retained, although its single-storey extensions and outbuildings are to be demolished, along with the bungalow and sheds adjacent to the main house.

The application is for two one-bedroom flats, a two-bedroom flat , eight three-bedroom houses and eight four-bedroom houses.

In the application, a conservation statement states Kirkby House is recognised as a building of local interest and the owners have been unsuccessful in attempting to put the building to various uses and now seek an alternative approach for a residential development.

The northern part of the site falls within the Kirkby Cross conservation Area although none of the buildings on the site are listed. All trees on the site are subject to tree preservation orders.

A previous application for residential development was withdrawn in June 2014 following comments from planning officers at the council.

A new scheme has been updated, including the retention of Kirkby House in its original intended form. The application says the resubmitted proposals are a compromise solution retaining the existing house and converting it into apartments, but demolishing the two unsympathetic extensions.

Its layout has been developed to provide housing fronting onto the new access road, mirroring that of the local area, allowing for a strong façade and the rear gardens to abut the adjacent existing property’s rear gardens.

In its application, Henry Mein Partnership on behalf of RPS Land said the dwellings will blend into the already well established community.

It says: “These proposals will by their layout provide a safe family environment for all to use with the passively surveyed road and parking, and the secure rear gardens.

“Generally we feel that these proposals have addressed the key issues required for achieving high quality design, for a sustainable, mixed community.”