CONTROVERSIAL proposals to turn a Grade II listed former care home into housing have re-emerged.

Plans have been drawn up for the development at the former Old Rectory nursing home, in Spring Lane, Colchester.

The care home closed in 2016 after being rated inadequate.

Original plans to turn the home into housing were put before Colchester Council in 2022 but received hundreds of objections.

The new proposals, by Rectory Place, are a resubmission of the previous plans which did not materialise.

If agreed the plans would see one two-bedroom home, five four-bedroom homes, two five-bedroom properties and one six-bedroom home.

The proposals include two car parking spaces for each home, nine visitor spaces and nine double electric vehicle charging points.  

Planning papers say: “The application proposes a high-quality residential development in Colchester.

The proposals allow for the redevelopment and conversion of a brownfield site immediately adjacent to the settlement boundary of Colchester.

“The site provides an opportunity for the use of high-quality and innovative design to enhance this key location and provide for highly sustainable development.

“The proposals will most importantly provide an alternative use for a redundant Grade II listed building to ensure their long-term contribution to the conservation area.”

Objections to the new plans have already been received.

One said it would “take away green spaces and opportunities for wildlife to thrive”.

Another objection raised concerns that increasing the numbers of houses would cause “traffic congestion in a very narrow lane which leads on to a busy main road and blind corner”.

It added the plans would be “spoiling one of the best beauty spots in Colchester for ramblers, dog walkers, children and families”.

Colchester Council will rule on the plans.