Plans have been submitted to convert the closed down The Elms Care Home in Whittlesey into a hotel, complete with restaurant, bar and spa facilities. The care home, located on Arnold’s Lane, closed in September 2022 after provider HC-One was named as a “provider of concern” that July by Cambridgeshire County Council. Ombudsman the Care Quality Commission subsequently decided to take action to cancel the home’s registration.
HC-One later admitted “unacceptable mistakes” in the care of Margaret Canham, George Lowlett and David Poole, who all died within weeks of each other at the home in 2019; following inquests in 2023. The 35-bed care home was placed on the market in March 2023. An application has now been submitted by MHM Properties Limited- based in Thorney- to convert the building into a 16-bed hotel, which would include a restaurant, bar, spa as well as a swimming pool and fitness suite, provided in a single-storey extension, an outdoor swimming pool, plant room and an outdoor thermal experience log cabin.
The car park would also be extended from 11 spaces to 30. The hotel guests would be free to use the spa as they please but would also be open for other members of the public between 9am and 9pm seven days a week. The fitness suite and pool would also be open from 6am to 9pm every day to cater for private members and guests.
The restaurant would also accommodate pre-bookings and walk-ins for its breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening dinner sittings. The.