A NURSING home in Hatch End that has stood empty since it was forced to close can be knocked down and replaced, councillors have agreed.
Harrow Council's planning committee approved last week a proposal by Sanctuary Group to demolish Silverlands, in Wellington Road, and create another care home in its place, albeit with six fewer rooms.
The building's residents had to be rehoused at another of the group's homes, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, in February last year, after the heating system failed at the two-storey property, which was built in 1965.
Sanctuary Group said in its application that the vacant building did not meet national minimum care standards, particularly in relation to the size of its 35 bedrooms and the fact the en-suite bathrooms cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
Both the new and old building will provide round-the-clock nursing and dementia care for residents.
Twenty-two staff will be employed at the new home, though no more than 15 employees would be on site at any one time.
The designs for the combined three and two-storey replacement are intended to mirror neighbouring Victorian villas.
The car park will be enlarged and a communal outdoor space will also be built for residents.
