A PLAN to demolish an “outdated” care home and build a modern replacement has been submitted.

The owner of Long Close care home in Forest Road, Poole, wanted to modernise the three-storey property but this was deemed “financially unviable”, according to planners.

Instead, an application has ben put forward to completely transform the 17-bed home into a new three-storey property catering for 32-bedrooms.

In its planning statement, planner Darryl Howells said: “Over the years the existing care home building on this site has suffered from under investment and as a result the building and internal accommodation are outdated.

“It would require substantial capital investment to make the necessary modernisation and improvements required to convert it into a modern standard of care home accommodation.

“This is not financially viable, hence the proposal for its replacement. The replacement building will bring the care home function of this site up to modern standards.

Bournemouth Echo: Plan for new home at Long Close care home in Poole.Plan for new home at Long Close care home in Poole. (Image: David James Architects)

“Improved quality of accommodation will be more desirable and will stimulate interest and attract new residents, and the development will ensure that this site continues to provide living accommodation on the form of care home bed spaces for Poole’s ageing population.”

At its last inspection by the CQC, Long Close was rated as ‘Good’ by inspectors who found residents were offered “a good quality of life” at the home.

If approved, the venture would create 25 new full time and part time jobs.

This comes amid several other proposals for new or extended care homes across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. In November last year, a controversial plan for a new 69-bed care home to be built in Hurn Way, Christchurch, was approved – with a need for housing in the area cited as adding “significant weight” to the approval.

Similarly, in December last year, Eagles Mount Care Home in Poole was given the green light to add an additional two storeys onto its building to create 33 new rooms.

No objections have yet been lobbied at the Long Close proposals, which are still out to consultation and can be viewed on BCP Council’s online planning portal.