Proposal to Change Kent House Nursing Home into an HMO
A new plan will change Kent House nursing home in Broadstairs into a 21-bed HMO. Local councillors will soon discuss this plan. The plan changes a home that once cared for older people and those with dementia. Many in the community have shown interest in this change.
Details of the Proposal
The plan aims to use the current house on Fairfield Road as an HMO with 21 bedrooms instead of 25. The plan needs few changes to the building. It uses the current layout so that rooms stay close and serve both shared and private needs.
The person in charge of the plan shows that the outside of the house will remain the same. This idea may calm worries about looking over neighbors, noise, or disruption. The nursing home already has busy staff and visitors each day. This daily flow of people may ease concerns about extra traffic from an HMO.
Community Concerns
The plan has met resistance. Thirty-three letters have warned of its effects. The letters share fears of losing a needed care home, conflicts among tenants, and more traffic on a busy street.
The Broadstairs Society marks the change as one that may shift the local feel. The society notes that the community is mostly made up of residents who are older. Some worry that local schools and safe living could suffer.
Assessment by Council Officers
Council staff have checked the plan. One licensing officer found that the plan meets the rules for shared kitchen space for 21 residents. A special room with a small kitchen shows that each area stays close within the building. A legal HMO licence would allow up to 22 residents.
Some local councillors now study the details. They ask that the plan fixes issues like parking, effects on nearby buildings, and long-term living conditions. They expect the developer to pay for some changes as well.
Historical Context
Kent House has changed over time. In 2022, it was put under special measures after a poor rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). But in February 2023, a new check showed that the care home reached a "Good" rating.
Conclusion
The coming meeting will let key people weigh the good and bad points of changing Kent House into an HMO. This change marks a shift in how the building is used and shows the ongoing change in local homes. For those who invest in properties, especially in HMOs, this case shows the balance of using old spaces in new ways while keeping the community’s view in mind.
The upcoming meeting will be a key moment. It may set an example for similar projects nearby.
