Plans to turn former Blockbuster video store into 8-bed care home
HMO schemes for the building have previously been rejected
The boarded-up former Blockbuster store pictured in 2015(Image: Google Street View)
A former Blockbuster store could be converted into a residential care home if plans get the green light. An application to turn the building on Salisbury Street into a 12-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) was thrown out in August, with a similar HMO scheme also being knocked back the year before.
HMOs – which have individual bedrooms but some shared facilities like kitchens and bathrooms – have proven controversial, both locally and nationally. But now an application has been lodged by the same applicant – Salisbury Property Partners Ltd – to transform part of the building into an eight bedroom specialist care home. The plans would see the ground floor retained for commercial use.
Under the proposals, the ‘residential care facility’ would have a single secure access off Salisbury Street with a reception area restricting access to the upper floor. The application said the eight bedrooms would be en-suite and there would also be a staff sleeping and monitoring room, communal room, living and kitchen area along with a storage room.
It added: “The kitchen facilities permit multiple use by residential occupiers. “Kitchen facilities are shared and are generous in size.” The previous refusal for an HMO highlighted parking concerns, but the latest application said: “The future residents are not expected to own or operate cars due to their personal circumstances.”
It concluded: “In summary, the residential institution would provide high quality accommodation within a town centre thereby allowing access to services and normal life.” The units had originally been occupied by video and game rental giant Blockbuster which went into administration in 2013. The site has subsequently been occupied by other businesses.