PLANS have been submitted to transform a former Poole care home that went bust earlier this year into a residential complex boasting half-a-dozen apartments.

The Ormonde Nursing Home, that had been owned by prominent Bournemouth businessman Abdul Jaffer, was one of two of his Poole care homes deemed 'not economically viable' by administrators.

Its closure came after Mr Jaffer was forced to shut his 'inadequate' care home Marlborough House, in March, following a damning Care Quality Commission report.

There was never any suggestion Ormonde was an inadequate home, but its closure left a number of residents seeking alternative accommodation.

Now building firm Juno Developments has lodged an application with Borough of Poole planners to transform the Pinewood Road building, which is within a conservation area, into six apartments with associated parking and access.

However, John Sprackling - acting on behalf of the Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & District Residents Association - has called for borough planners to refuse the scheme.

He said: "The site is not in an area where flats predominate. It is not on a prime transport corridor or within a convenient walking distance of both a local centre and a high frequency public transport stop."

Meanwhile, neighbour Christine Norman also contacted the council to protest against the proposed development.

She said: "I am delighted that the Ormonde has closed, but I consider that to put six flats into this building would be detrimental to the road and conservation area.

"If it cannot be turned back to a sole residence then I consider that no more than four flats should be permitted provided that the onsite parking can be achieved without destroying the entire garden area."

A report supporting the proposal, from planning agents Tanner & Tilley, concludes: "The submitted scheme is compliant with the relevant national and local policies. Accordingly it is concluded that planning permission should be granted."