A plot of land in St Leonards earmarked for a contentious 80-bed care home is up for sale, with a guide price set at £1,950,000 on Zoopla.

Situated on Chapel Park Road, just 0.5 miles from the seafront, the site comes with approved planning permission for the home, which includes numerous amenities such as a hairdressing salon, cinema, lounges, and activity rooms.

The proposed care home had faced significant opposition from some community members and local leaders, though Hastings Borough Council ultimately gave its approval.

What the development is proposed to look like (Image: Christopher St James PLC)

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Critics, such as Hastings Borough councillor Amanda Jobson, have voiced concerns about the size of the planned building, considering it ‘out of keeping with the area’.

She said: “I am concerned of the design of this plentiful building, which is humungous in size and out of keeping with the area.”

Liz Bygrave, a resident who submitted objections during the planning stages, agreed, suggesting the building would be too large.

She said: “This building is too large, especially the extension at the back, which at four stories high and extending a long way to the west, will tower over neighbouring gardens.”

Ms Bygrave also raised concerns about the possible increase in traffic that the development might bring to the residential area.

Another resident, Helen Smith, reiterated that the project’s scale seemed unsuitable for a quiet residential street.

Ms Smith said: “Chapel park road is a quiet residential road, the size of the development would encourage a massive increase in traffic.

“There would be years of disruption during the construction of such a large development, which would affect a lot of local residents.”

What the development is proposed to look like (Image: Christopher St James PLC)

Gareth Morris was going to purchase a house on the road but said he has changed his mind since plans were approved for the care home, according to planning documents.

Mr Morris said: “We now won’t be buying number 38 and I doubt anyone else will either, those poor people will be trapped in a nightmare of building for years and then have to live forever next to an 80 bed small hospital with constant traffic.”

Although significant opposition was recorded, the initial planning application outlined the facility’s potential benefits.

The project, put forward by the Urban Village Group, is expected to fulfil community needs and boost local employment.

Each of the bedrooms was planned to have its own toilet and shower room, along with access to communal lounges, catering, and laundry facilities.

AP Architecture Limited, on behalf of Pegasus Group and the applicant Urban Village Group, said: “The purpose-built care home will offer a range of facilities for the residents all of which are intended to improve the quality of life for the residents of the home.

“The garden areas will be designed to incorporate both formal gardens and not-so-formal areas around the care home and include areas where residents can grow vegetables.

“The proposed home will ensure that the residents’ quality of life is greatly enhanced within a comfortable, and ideal location, within easy reach of an established community.”

The Chapel Park Road plot spans approximately 0.61 acres and has been cleared for development.

Vacant and freehold, it is located just 0.2 miles from the Warrior Square Rail Station.

The land is also half a mile from Silverhill’s shopping facilities, St Leonards Warrior Square’s restaurants and shops, and within a mile of Hastings’ historic town centre and the Old Town area.

According to the listing, the site offers ‘a prime opportunity for developers to create a state-of-the-art facility’.

It is equipped with parking for staff and visitors, and proposals for open spaces and landscaping, including the integration of renewable energy sources.