A VACANT nursing home and grounds in Yelverton could be redeveloped and converted to provide 11 homes if a planning application is supported.

Devonia House Nursing Home at Leg O’Mutton Corner was closed down in August 2016 after the home was condemned by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors in 2015 and repeatedly rated ‘inadequate’.

After residents were moved into other accommodation, the 27-bed facility remained unused. The empty property was placed on the market in the hope of finding a buyer willing to reopen the care home but no viable offers were received.

Then, in January this year, a planning application was submitted to Dartmoor National Park Authority to develop the site by agent Maze Planning Solutions, on behalf of the building’s owners Horizon Capital Management Limited.

The application — a resubmission of an earlier scheme on the site for 12 dwellings (0528/18) — is for a redevelopment of Devonia House to provide three two-bed houses, six three-bed houses, a conversion of the existing building to provide two two-bed houses and improvement of existing access from the A386 to serve the development, with an increase of parking spaces from eight to 25.

Andrew Watt, partner at Maze Planning, said in his report to the authority that the future of the site needed to be resolved.

‘This planning application seeks permission for the development of 11 two and three-bed houses, provided as a combination of new build and conversion, giving the Devonia House site a new long-term use and a continuing role in a sustainable settlement, where there is good access to local shops and services.

‘The site is suitable in principle for housing development, complying with the national park authority’s relevant planning policies; it will create small and medium sized homes suitable for a range of local needs.’

Response from the local public on the application has been split — and feedback from letters of ‘observation’ has asked for the developer to make a contribution of funds to local good causes, including Yelverton’s play park.

One Yelverton resident supported the application: ‘The home has been disused for some time and in not too long a period could become an eyesore with deterioration.’

While another village resident said that the application was ‘rather excessive’ for the area: ‘Eleven houses alongside this road seems to ruin the look and feel of this area. I expect, at some point, this application will get approved but it would be nice to see a legacy for the village of Yelverton for this development. The playpark that is next to this development will clearly be used by the families in these houses. It is in need of a facelift as parts of it are 19 years old. Could a section 106 agreement allocate considerable funds to produce a new play area that could serve the community into the future?’

To view the plans, visit https://planning.dartmoor.gov.uk and search 0018/20. The target date for a decision on the application will be this Monday (March 9).