From church to care home

AN old Nuneaton church is set to be transformed into a care home for the elderly.

Plans have been put forward to turn the former Chilvers Coton Methodist Church in Edward Street into a care home.

If approved it will repurpose the empty church, providing accommodation for 23 people.

The application is for the change of use from a place of worship into a residential care home with an extension to form a reception room and associated internal and external works.

In a planning statement, it says: “The proposed care home will be capable of registration for personal care and will be operated by a residential care home provider.

“The proposed care home will incorporate 23 single en-suite bedrooms, with a communal, central lounge area for both eating and social purposes, set over a main groundfloor and mezzanine level.

“In terms of ‘back of house’ facilities, a kitchen, laundry and staff facilities are also proposed in two consolidated areas.

“The ground floor will accommodate 11 ensuite bedrooms and will include a central, separate day space (lounge area), treatment room and assisted bathroom, toilet and sluice.

“In addition, the ground floor will include the reception and kitchen, which will be located adjacent to the main entrance.

“A core service area is proposed at the opposite end of the building comprising offices, staff room and plant room.

“The mezzanine floor will accommodate a further 12 en-suite bedrooms.”

It is also explained that there are no staff-sleeping facilities as the carers will work on overlapping shifts.

The statement concludes: “The redevelopment of the application site provides an opportunity to re-use a vacant building in a sustainable and prominent urban location within close proximity to Nuneaton town centre.

“The development will provide new investment and employment as well as purpose built accommodation for elderly people with emerging or existing care needs.”