PLANS to transform a seafront hotel into a care home are set to be rejected.

The application is for Trinity Hotel, Trinity Avenue, Westcliff, to be converted into a home offering support to people with mental health issues.

Planning officers have recommended refusal because the “need for the proposed use has not been clearly identified” and adult services already have the capacity to meet the needs of people with mental health problems within existing facilities.

The plans would not mean any major changes to the appearance of the layout of the guest house, which would retain all six rooms.

The care facility would also provide at least five jobs.

Hotel owner Alan Martin said the application has been submitted by a potential buyer of the hotel, but the sale will only go through if the application is approved.

He said: “We know of several B&Bs which have closed and weren’t granted planning permission for a change of use and since then they have fallen into disrepair.

“Given the change of use being asked for here, I would have thought that there would have been some extra thought given to it. It shocks me they would want to just pass on it.”

He added that he has been trying to sell the hotel for more than three years in order to retire and over that time there has been a significant downturn in business, which he believes is due to the growing use of privately rented properties and cheaper hotels.

He could not give a date on when the hotel will close, but said he hopes to retire as soon as possible after if the sale goes through.

The planning recommendation outlines several concerns that have been raised by neighbours, including claims of disturbances caused by support facilities that are already in the area.

One notes that Trinity Avenue “suffers from constant trouble, violence and disturbances with police attending on many occasions in relation to drugs and prostitution”, claiming the change of use could increase problems.

Others raised concerns over how the accommodation would impact property prices and parking spaces.