Two struck-off care home owners have applied for permission to turn one of their properties into a guest house.

Vijaya and Parthasaradhi Karri were deregistered by social services chiefs after a report claimed they had failed to provide adequate care.

The document alleged they had not ensured a suitable level of staffing nor consistent management.

The claims were emphatically denied by Dr and Mrs Karri, who said there had not been a single complaint made against them in ten years.

They did not contest the allegations after agreeing with their solicitor it would be too costly.

The couple now want to turn one of their three homes -Magnolia House in St Andrew's Avenue, Colchester - into a guest house.

It is currently designated as a residential home for mentally handicapped people.

Their planning application will be discussed by Colchester councillors tomorrow night.

Officers have recommended the proposal be given the go-ahead once the Karris confirm in writing how many bedrooms they plan to create and a set of conditions have been agreed.

Dr Karri, who works part-time in Sudbury as a GP, said he would not be involved in the running of the guest house if permission was granted.

The couple plan to sell off one of their homes, Maytime, and also convert the Hollies into a guest house.

Both properties are situated in Nayland Road.

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