PLANS to convert a former care home into 17 flats have been submitted just weeks after it closed following a damning Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

Southwood Lodge in Bournemouth was heavily criticised by the watchdog’s inspectors who visited the home earlier this year.

It was given the lowest rating in three of the five assessed categories before being closed and the centre sold off for development.

CQC inspectors the home’s care planning systems, management arrangements, safety, the administration of medicines, staff numbers and skills and emergency procedures.

The care home was run by Cheryl Hadland, the founder of Tops Day Nurseries, who said that residents’ requirements had forced it to make the decision.

“The requirements for providing hospital beds with specialist mattresses, extra training, and sourcing additional staffing in a very challenging job market are also contributing factors,” she said.

“The pressure to provide all this has taken the heart out of the business for us.

“Unfortunately, Southwood Lodge was not able to provide what CQC require in the time frame they want it and Southwood were not able to find another provider prepared to take over the location either.”

Following its closure, the site was sold to Bournemouth-based developer Elliott Heron.

Plans have now been lodged with Bournemouth council seeking to convert the facility, which is made up of three houses, into a single block of 17 two-bedroom flats with 14 parking spaces.

A statement published with the proposal says: “It is considered that the proposal would create a carefully balanced and attractive proposal which would not represent an overdevelopment of the site or create an overbearing impact on the neighbouring plots.”

It adds that the change of use from a care home to flats “are entirely acceptable” and that it would create “no greater traffic movement” than the existing use before concluding that “the applicant looks forward to receiving the support of Chichester District Council”.