QUESTION marks have been raised over the future of a deserted Colchester care home with residents becoming increasingly worried after spotting building work being carried out.
Eagle-eyed residents have seen builders working on the disused Trippier House site, in Blackthorn Avenue, Greenstead, despite there being no active planning applications in place.
But Greenstead councillor Tim Young has offered assurances that nothing untoward is happening at the site, confirming the construction workers are completing “internal refurbishments” which is allowed under the current planning permission.
Mr Young said: “My fellow councillor Julie Young and I have both flagged the building work to Colchester Council’s planning department.
“They’ve been told they’re doing internal refurbishments which they’re allowed to do, and building control is going to check that is what they’re doing.”
A previous application to convert the former care home into a 46-bed house in multiple occupancy (HMO) was thrown out by Colchester Council.
A report by planning officers said the proposals would’ve created a “harmful intensification” of the building.
It said: “[The use] would not be compatible with the neighbouring residential uses and is considered to create harmful noise and disturbance impacts to the neighbouring properties.”
The building’s owner has not submitted any further plans to the council since the previous application was rejected in January.
The sudden presence of construction workers has led to speculation on the estate over what the owner’s next move will be.
It was previously suggested the huge building could house Ukrainian refugees, but the suggestion never came to fruition.
The building was secured with wooden boards in May last year after gangs repeatedly vandalised the site.
It has sat empty for more than four years after a funding row between the care provider and the county council forced the closure of three north Essex care homes.
Speaking to the Gazette, a concerned resident said: “A lot of older people live close by and there’s a lot of schoolchildren in the area, so I would be concerned if they were trying again to convert it to a HMO.
“I think it would be much better if the building was being turned into something that would help the community.”
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