A planning proposal has been submitted for Bushy Park Lodge hotel, owned by Venus Group, to become a Care Home for residential and specialist support. 

Previously a hotel, Bushy Park Lodges ceased operating on 1 April 2022. The three-storey detached house on the 300 sqm property could be converted to nine care home units. 

A statement from the planning document concluded the change of use "will be a public benefit as a matter of principle". 

It added: "The proposal meets a clear identified need within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames for new accommodation for care home and specialised supported living.

"This is also endorsed and managed in associated with the NHS in line with local, regional and national planning policy."

Two members of qualified staff would be employed for daily duties, supplying independent support living accommodation linked with the NHS. 

The residential and specialist support care home would be specifically for older people. 

Proposed section area. (Photo: Richmond Council)

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Nine one-bed room units could be created from the existing floor space, including two communal kitchens and one main communal room.

A new refuse and cycle store could be erected in the front driveway, with an addition of 10 parking spaces to the existing 10. 

In addition,a new metal gate, measuring 4.7m wide and 1.8m high, could be installed in front of Sandy Lane.

The estimated cost is cited up to £2m in the planning application, and suggests works will take around three-four months.

The planning document added: "The scheme has been designed to have the least impact on the existing townscape thereby not giving rise to any adverse amenity or highway impacts by virtue of being contained within the existing footprint and envelope."

The owner was rejected planning permission for the change of use of the hotel to residential accommodation in 2021. 

It was refused on the grounds the creation of residential flats would be "prejudicial to meeting the Council's affordable housing objectives".

In addition, the proposal was rejected as a change in use would cause a loss of visitor accommodation which could "have a detrimental impact on the borough's visitor economy".

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Location layout for proposal. (Photo: Richmond Council)

Locals express worries about 'odd request'

Residents have voiced concerns over the change in use, one citing the owners have "already [been] refused planning permission on more than one occasion on the basis of a lack of holiday/hotel accommodation in the area". 

Viewing the proposal as an "odd request", another resident commented: "We already have Deer Park View care home on Bushy Park Road, which produces a fair amount of noise during the day from some patients who are not well.

"I don't feel we need another care home right next to the one already here."

Concerns were also expressed about "deliveries and ambulances at all times" as well as parking being an "issue" during the day. 

Another resident commented on the "loss of privacy in our back gardens" as the care home rear overlooks neighbours' gardens on Sandy Lane, Bushy park road and Widewing close.

Neighbourhood consultation has started, and the decision is due 16 October.