A NEW application seeking to make a series of changes to the controversial redevelopment of a former Christchurch nursing home site have been submitted.

Pinebeach Nursing Home in Southcliffe Road closed three years ago and has been targeted by vandals ever since.

The site has also been at the centre of a long-running redevelopment process, which has now taken another turn.

Lifecare Holdings Ltd withdrew their initial plans before their proposals for a 10-flat block were approved by Christchurch Borough Council's planning committee in 2016.

However, the following year the same committee rejected a scheme for a larger building from the same applicants. The decision was appealed but dismissed by the planning inspectorate in December 2017.

After 12 months of uncertainty as to when work would begin on demolishing the nursing home building, an application has now been submitted to the council from Jackson Developments.

The firm is seeking permission to vary conditions in the approved Lifecare Holdings Ltd plans, which relate to the design of the building.

The changes include placing more windows on all floors, a new first floor balcony on the north east facing of the building and changing the parking layout within the site.

The only details in the application given on why these variations are being sought is to "improve living conditions".

Jackson Developments have not submitted a new design and access statement, instead resubmitting the original document produced by Pure Town Planning in August 2016.

In the past few months, signs appeared on the nursing home site from Jackson Developments in the past few months.

Scores of residents complained to the council after the parking area outside the building had been used to store materials, diggers and cement mixers.

The change of use was unauthorised and the council was almost forced to take enforcement action.

In September, Simon Jackson, owner of Jackson Developments, told the Daily Echo that his firm did not own the site and the planning documents suggest this is still the case.

While the site has been vacant, police have had to deal with various issues and concerns.

In July this year, a public meeting was held nearby at the recreation field at Friars Cliff to discuss various anti-social behaviour issues in the area.