Care home which ‘requires improvement’ could be turned into apartments

Gedling Borough Council.
By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter

There are plans for a care home which ‘requires improvement’ to be turned into supported living apartments.

Redhill Farm in Arnold has applied to Gedling Borough Council to convert the home into two one-bedroom apartments and a four-bedroom supported living dwelling – which are “much needed” locally and nationally.

The home in Bestwood Lodge Drive is currently an eight-person care home which has been rated ‘requires improvement’ by watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The home, which is run by Heathcotes, cares for adults with mental illnesses and learning disabilities.

In May 2019, CQC inspectors placed the service in special measures after finding three breaches of regulation.

In a follow up inspection in November, inspectors said that improvements had been made but the service was rated ‘requires improvement’.

The new plans for the home would “provide adults with care and support needs suitable accommodation they will be able to call their home”, according to council documents.

Each apartment would have a shower room, living room and separate kitchen.

Support staff would have access to all apartments.

Documents put forward by Jackson Design Associates stated: “Redhill Farm needs major refurbishment to revive it back to the high standard of accommodation befitting its residents.

“Heathcotes are committed to providing all their residents with desirable living spaces in a safe environment and, subject to planning permission, will not only provide the investment needed for refurbishment, but will also help fulfil the shortfall of suitable supported living accommodation.

“Careful consideration has been given to minimise impact on the existing building fabric to provide good sized, quality accommodation, without losing the architectural character of the original property and maintaining its residential appearance.”