A former Hereford care home with extensive gardens could be converted to eight flats.

The Shires home in Aylestone Hill to the northeast of the city is the subject of a planning application (number 240639) by local developer Manbro, which specialises in repurposing old buildings in the county.

It foresees two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom properties in the home, for market sale.

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Accompanying plans show three of the four ground-floor flats would extend into the basement, where bedrooms would be naturally lit by new lightwells.

Three flats would occupy the first floor, with a further flat on the smaller second floor.

The existing layout of the Victorian former vicarage, which lies within the Aylestone Hill conservation area, “does not require substantial alteration”, a statement with the application says.

External fire escapes would be removed, and four more parking spaces would be added to the existing eight.

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Converting the building would be in line with county and national planning policy, as it lies “within easy walking and cycling distance of all services and facilities in Hereford”, the statement adds.

Formerly run by mental health charity Herefordshire Mind, the Shires was rated “good” overall its last Care Quality Commission inspection of summer 2021.

But the 12-room facility closed at the start of last year and went up for sale in September.

Comments on the planning application can be made via Herefordshire Council’s planning webpage until April 20.