BURNHAM-ON-SEA and Highbridge Town Council has objected to plans to turn a former care home into a 37-bed home in multiple occupation (HMO).

An application was submitted for permission to convert the former Hillview Nursing Home (which closed in 2022) on Berrow Road into residential accomodation..

At a Planning Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January 31, those present voted to oppose the plans due to several reasons.

The minutes from the meeting show the town council cited insufficient parking provision, overdevelopment/overcrowding, out of keeping, insufficient waste and storage area, and noise and disturbance from use, as reasons to object to the plans.

Only ten parking spaces were proposed for the site, two less than the current 12 spaces, although the applicant stated this number is sufficient to 'accommodate resident and visitor demand.'

Hillview Nursing Home was forced to close in August 2022, after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) took “enforcement action” against it. 

At the time of closure, Amanda Stride, CQC’s head of inspection, said: “We can confirm that following inspections on July 6 and 14, CQC have taken enforcement action at Hillview Nursing Home, Burnham on Sea.

A spokesperson for Hillview Nursing Home said: “We are sorry that this matter has led to the closure of Hillview, but are glad that our residents have been resettled safely pending the outcome of further inquiries."

To keep up to date on the future of the Hillview Nursing Home building, search the application number 11/23/00128 on the Somerset Council website.

Consultation on the plans closes on Friday, 9 February - an official decision could be given from Saturday, February 10.