Proposal to Convert Former Care Facility into Holiday Lets Rejected

A proposal to convert a former care facility into holiday accommodations has been denied due to insufficient pedestrian access. In 2023, Boulevard Care Limited submitted a planning application to repurpose six structures at its Orby branch, situated off Gunby Road, near Skegness. The company indicated this move was necessary to “diversify.” The proposed development encompassed residential units, a retail outlet, a restaurant and cocktail bar, and a fitness facility. Boulevard Care Limited announced its intention to appeal the rejection, expressing confidence that its proposal would “be a benefit to the local area and economy.” East Lindsey District Council commented that while the location offered commercial prospects, it would pose safety risks for visitors, particularly during the peak summer period. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the applicant asserted the plans would introduce “amenities” and “vital employment opportunities and tourism to the area,” also claiming an enhancement of the village’s “sense of community.” However, the application generated over 20 formal objections from local residents and Orby Parish Council, with the latter also expressing reservations regarding footpath availability and questioning the sufficiency of parking. Boulevard Care Limited maintained that no issues concerning footpaths had arisen since its operations commenced at the site in 1995. A spokesperson stated: “We aware of the pressure facing Orby in the summer months with regards to traffic as long-term residents, however we are very clear that this high volume of through traffic will neither be added to nor resolved by any plans we have in place.” For nearly three decades, the location served as a care facility for individuals with learning disabilities.