A VENTURE to transform a former Newton Abbot residential home into eight new homes has been lodged with district planners.

Architect James Dawson wants convert Forde Park care home (pictured above) into a mixture of two and three-bedroom properties.

As well as the conversion the developer also wants to tear down an ‘unattractive and disused’ outbuilding.

The two-storey building, which closed its doors as a care home nearly a year ago, is made up of two Victorian villas which were built in the late 1800s.

Owners closed the home because the business was becoming unviable and it has been left empty ever since.

Plans are also afoot to create two car parking spaces for each house to alleviate the issue of on-street parking.

A report, sent to Teignbridge Council, reads: ‘The proposal is to retain and respect the character of the building and change the use of it into residential accommodation.’

Developers are planning to build five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom properties.

Mayor of Newton Abbot and ward member Cllr Ann Jones said: ‘It will be nice to see Forde Park care home occupied again.

‘Although it is a shame that we have lost a large care facility in the town when such facilities are needed.’

She added: ‘However, turning it into eight properties will probably be most cost effective for the developer.

‘I just hope that they are priced within reach of local people.’

Members of Newton Abbot Town Council’s planning committee reviewed the proposals last week and said it had no objection to the scheme.

District councillor Mike Pilkington, who represents the area, said he thought the proposals wouldn’t have an adverse impact on the surrounding area.

‘If what they do inside the building doesnít change the look of the area then it is acceptable,’ he added.

Cllr Pilkington expressed his concern that that Newton Abbot has lost another nursing home.

Planning officers at Teignbridge are scrutinising the venture and are hoping to make a decision by the end of March.