Change of use for care facility turned down

Councillors feared a lack of footpaths would have an “unacceptable” impact on highway safety

Plans to turn a former care facility into holiday lets have been rejected over a lack of pedestrian access.

In 2023, a planning application was submitted to repurpose six buildings at Boulevard Care Limited’s Orby branch off Gunby Road, near Skegness, as the company stated it needed to "diversify".

The plans included flats, a shop, a restaurant and cocktail bar, and fitness suite.

The company said it would appeal the decision and felt its plan would "be a benefit to the local area and economy".

Site parking questioned

East Lindsey District Council said although the site would bring in commercial opportunities, it would be unsafe for holidaymakers, especially during the busy summer months.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the applicant stated the plans would bring "amenities" and "vital employment opportunities and tourism to the area".

It also said it would improve the village's "sense of community".

But the application prompted more than 20 formal objections from local residents, as well as from Orby Parish Council, which also raised concerns about the footpath provision and questioned whether there was adequate parking.

Boulevard Care Limited insisted there had never been an issue with footpaths since it began operating at the site in 1995.

A spokesperson said: "We aware of the pressure facing Orby in the summer months with regards to traffic as long-term residents, however we are very clear that this high volume of through traffic will neither be added to nor resolved by any plans we have in place."

The site was home to a care facility for people with learning disabilities for almost 30 years.

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Correction 19 December 2024: The article originally described plans for a holiday village and this wording has been amended to more accurately reflect the size of the proposal. The article separately reported that in 2021 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) decided not to register Boulevard Care Limited's Orby branch, meaning it was no longer deemed suitable accommodation for people with learning disabilities. In fact the CQC rejected a specific proposal for an additional care facility at the site and the Orby branch continued to operate under registration until 2024 and so we have removed this line from the story. We have also updated the article to include a response from Boulevard Care Ltd regarding the planning decision.