A “comprehensive residential scheme”, comprising an HMO for young people, apartments and terraced houses, has been earmarked for a former care-home site in Kirkby.

The site is Quinton House at The Hill, which was a privately-owned, four-bedroom home that looked after young adults with learning disabilities and autism until it closed in 2024.

Now a scheme has been hatched to convert the existing, distinctive building into an HMO (house in multiple occupation) for nine people aged 18 to 25.

And alongside it would be constructed a block of three one-bedroom flats, as well as a terraced row of three houses, each with three bedrooms.

Former care home Quinton House at The Hill in Kirkby. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

placeholder image — Former care home Quinton House at The Hill in Kirkby. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

A planning application for the change of use has been submitted to Ashfield District Council by Duncan Scott, of the Leicestershire-based firm, SDP Architecture, who is acting on behalf of an unnamed developer.

The project is a toned-down version of an original plan for a 13-bed HMO, which was rejected by the council’s planning officers.

They felt it was “too intensive for the site” and “failed to provide adequate car parking, internal communal space and outdoor space for residents”.

Mr Scott says this revised plan “has been carefully developed after previous feedback and directly addresses earlier concerns”.

Another shot of Quinton House, which has been empty for nearly two years.

It was reduced in scale, comprised a mixed housing scheme instead of a single, intensive use, and featured an improved layout that made better use of space.

Mr Scott’s planning statement says: “The site lies within an established residential area. The proposed mix of HMO, apartments and family housing represents a less intensive and more balanced form of development.

"The scheme has been significantly reduced in scale, and the level of activity generated by the HMO would be comparable to a large family dwelling.”

Benefits of the project included much-needed new housing for Ashfield and the re-use of a vacant building, says Mr Scott.

He also stresses that the HMO would be professionally managed, with residents “subject to tenancy agreements with clear behavioural expectations, including respect for neighbours and the local community”.

A designated management agent would be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the property, and regular inspections would be carried out “to ensure the property remains in a high-quality condition”.

The plan features 12 cycle spaces. However, it is still without any car parking bays.

Mr Scott’s statement explains: "Parking provision has been carefully considered, but the site benefits from access to public transport within walking distance, close proximity to local services and facilities, and established pedestrian and cycle links.

"The HMO for young persons is expected to have low car-ownership levels.

"The one-bedroom apartments are typically associated with single occupants and reduced parking demand.

"And the three-bedroom houses can use on-street parking, like the existing rows of terraced houses on nearby Park Street.”

Quinton House was built some time between 1900 and 1929, and has been valued by property websites at an estimated £340,000. However, it is not a listed building.

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and have set a deadline date of Monday, June 22 to make a decision or recommendation.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/