Plans to turn former Hartlepool care home into guest house

Plans have been lodged to convert a former care home into a new guest house to cater for tourists and out of town workers.
Parkview residential home, Station Lane, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REIDParkview residential home, Station Lane, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID
Parkview residential home, Station Lane, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

Parkview Residential Care Home in Seaton Carew was forced to close in January when its proprietor Matt Matharu had his registration as a provider cancelled by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It had been rated inadequate by the care watchdog and in 2012, 90-year-old resident Norah Elliott died after she climbed out of an insecure upstairs window and fell from a conservatory roof.

Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 

17 November 2014Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 

17 November 2014
Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 17 November 2014
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Matharu was later sent to prison for eight months after being found guilty of health and safety breaches.

Now new plans by Dorothy Gwynn have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council.

She is seeking permission for a change of use to a guest house including two second storey side extensions and provision of a cafe.

A planing statement by ASP Associates on behalf of the applicant states: “The current layout of the former residential home lends itself for this conversion and it is proposed to retain the majority of the features within our design.

Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 

17 November 2014Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 

17 November 2014
Matt Matharu at Teesside Crown Court 17 November 2014
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“It is felt that the development will bring a more efficient use of the site and as mentioned given its ideal location and access route will be an ideal for accommodating tourism, outside contractors and local jobs to the area and town.”

Parkview, in Station Lane, has been empty since January when all remaining residents were forced to move out as a result of the CQC’s action taken just before Christmas.

The proposed guest house includes 22 en suite bedrooms with nine on the ground floor and 13 on the first floor.

The second floor would be used for the owner’s living space.

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There is 14 parking spaces at the property and the agent said in addition to public parking the applicant has a verbal agreement with a nearby hotel to use its car park as a temporary overspill on busy occasions.

People can comment on the application by Thursday, June 16, on www.hartlepool.gov.uk or by email to: [email protected].