RESIDENTS have given a tentative approval to a £3.5million plan to build an 80-bed nursing home on the site of a former hotel.

The Balmoral Hotel, in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, closed in July after becoming economically unviable, and subsequent plans to turn it into a block of bedsits proved unpopular.

Now an as-yet-unnamed nursing home provider has approached the owner, Sinclair Brown, about demolishing the 27-bedroom hotel and building a four-floor home in its place.

When the plans went on show, several visitors expressed concerns about the design of the main building, saying it was too institutional and unwelcoming.

Paddy Shaw, 78, of Valkyrie Road, said if the plans were approved, she would encourage the team running the home to forge strong links with the community, possibly through sharing their facilities and encouraging people to befriend residents.

She added: “It’s a shame it’s no longer running as a hotel, but as a nursing home for the elderly this is better than nothing.”

Paul Fayle, 61, of Valkyrie Road, said: “I am in favour of this. If it was a proposal for bedsits I would say no thanks, but a nice new building would be nice.”

Plans show the main building in Valkyrie Road would be linked to a two-storey building fronting Ditton Court Road by a corridor, which would contain treatment rooms leading to a communal sitting room facing the gardens.

The Ditton Court Road annexe would replace an existing chalet bungalow.

Residents said they were pleased to see the planned building was smaller than the two detached homes which already have permission for the site.

Ditton Court Road resident Steve Tetchner, 50, said: “Parking was one of the issues we had, but as there is no access from this side that shouldn’t be a problem.”

A spokesman for Chalkwell Ward Residents’ Association, said: “I believe, in principle, our members will welcome this proposal as a suitable use of the site, which should contribute to a regeneration of the area. How-ever, much depends on the final design.

“Our residents will be concerned the appearance of the building should be sympathetic to the surrounding properties, and also the council should ensure the number of parking spaces available will be sufficient to cope with the needs of visitors and staff.”

Paul Seager, managing director of ACS Designs, the agent handling the application for Sinclair Brown, said the plans were only outlines and would undergo revision as they progressed.

Plans for the development have just been lodged with Southend Council.