AN EYESORE in St Ives could soon be demolished if planners get permission to replace it with a care home, nearly four times its size.
The St Ives Motel, in London Road, has stood empty since it was closed in 2009 because of reduced custom but Care UK Community Partnerships want to demolish the 963sq metre hotel and build a new 72-bedroom care home on the 1.26 acre grounds.
AKA Planning have submitted plans to Huntingdonshire District Council on behalf of Care UK for the second time after concerns were raised by Hemingford Parish Council. The new plans have fewer bedrooms, an increase in parking provision, and detailed designed changes. The care home will create 40 full and 40 part time jobs.
The 3618sq metre care home will be brick built with white rendering, dark grey upvc windows and grey artificial slate roofing. The proposal includes an increase of parking provision with seven more spaces than the motel, with two for disabled parking and an ambulance bay, and enough space for 14 bicycles.
More than 150 tree with hundreds of shrubs, bushes, climbers and plants will be planted around the ground’s border and will form a garden at the back of the care home.
INFORMATION: A public consultation evening will take place tomorrow (Thursday) between 4pm and 7pm at the Hayward Hall, Hemingford Pavillion, in Hemingford Grey.
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