A FORMER nursing home near Whitchurch which has been vacant for more than a decade could be set for a fresh lease of life.

Plans have been submitted to convert the Grade Two listed Lady Lambert Exclusive Nursing Homes in Ash Manga into five residential apartments.

The home closed in 2005.

Justin Hughes, agent with P J Barnett Associates, said it will be a “sympathetic conversion”.

He added: “The site is reinforced by the improvement that the development will visually have on the surrounding area. Therefore, this would have a greater appreciation of the treatment of surrounding spaces and general activity.

“The proposed development will promote a higher sense of community in the area and lead to further social interaction, inclusion and enabling increased human involvement. It will create a pleasant and improved area to reside and will give residents an all round visual enhancement and greater sense of pride and belonging.”

The proposal by St Philips Care Caledonia Ltd will see the home converted into two one-bedroom and three two-bedroom properties, with the retention of 10 parking spaces.

Plans to convert the home into a residential property with the creation of a garage were approved in 2008 but have since lapsed.

A decision from Shropshire Council is expected by the end of November.