THE premises of a former care home which closed after an 'inadequate' rating by inspectors are to be turned into supported living accommodation for 13 residents.

The Longfield Residential Home in Preston New Road, Blackburn, shut in January 2022.

It had been placed into special measures over grave concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission after an inspection in August 2021 found residents were living in squalor and infection and prevention control was negligible.

The former care home specialised in providing care to people aged 65 and over living with dementia before the closure.

Now a planning application by Mr Tonge from Waterside Head Office in Haslingden Road, Blackburn, has been approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It permits the conversion of the building into supported living accommodation comprising 13 bedrooms with communal lounge, dining room, kitchens and bathrooms.

A report recommending approval with two conditions by planning officer Martin Kenny says: "The application relates to ‘Longfield’ a detached property positioned on the north side of Preston New Road and within the Revidge Conservation Area.

"Longfield has operated as a residential care home for the elderly for approximately 40 years.

"Full planning permission is sought for a change of use of the building from a care facility to supported living accommodation for vulnerable individuals.

"No extensions or external alterations are proposed within the application.

"Seven neighbours were consulted by letter and a site notice displayed. No representations have been received.

"It is considered that circumstance exist to qualify the proposal as exceptional.

"The proposal includes an end use that is supported by the council’s adult services team and has been considered in relation to the council’s commissioning programme to meet a defined need within the borough given the planned nature and the absence of other such uses in the locality.

"The proposed use can be accommodated within the existing building without need for extension.

"The proposed use will have the same number of bedrooms as the outgoing use.

"Staffing provision would be three full time employees.

"Although the building is currently vacant it is probable that the overall staffing requirement for a 13 bedroom class care home facility for the elderly would be higher, including shift changes.

"Given these factors it is unlikely that the proposed use would lead to an increase in activity at the site or greater harm to the residential character of the locality."