A building converted into a care home in the 1970s could soon return to being a family residence – with the same family that has run it for decades.

Stoneleigh House, pictured right, was purchased by the Edbrooke family in 1974 and converted into a care home during the following years.
The family continued to live in property alongside the care home for decades.

It is currently owned by the daughter of the Edbrookes – who was just 11 when her parents bought the house, on Rowlands Hill – who wishes to retire and bring the building back into use solely as a home.

A planning application has been submitted to Dorset Council to change the use of the building back to a private dwelling.
The planning application, submitted by Martin Hanham town planning consultant, said: “Once converted, the Edbrooke family had bedrooms in the attic, shared use of the kitchen, and kept some of the principle rooms on the ground floor for family use.
“My client continued to live with her parents at Stoneleigh House until 1986, by which time she had completed her nurse training.
“After a short spell abroad, of about a year, my client returned to Stoneleigh House.”
The application explains how, after getting married, the current owner lived at the property with her husband, where they raised their three children.
In 1996, she bought the property from her parents, the applications says.
“The current situation is that my client still lives at Stoneleigh House with her new husband,” it said.
However, despite currently having seven residents and employing 14 part-time staff, she wishes to retire the business as it would prove difficult for a new operator to take on.
The application explained: “The matter is now compounded by the energy crisis and the fact the builkding is old and therefore not energy efficient.
“A new owner would have to re-register the home and would have to meet current standards, regulations and modern requirements.
“However, the building was built circa the 1860s and the very nature of the building means that it could not meet the current required standards and regulations.
“Finally, my client wishes to retire from the business and return Stoneleigh House to the beautiful private dwelling it once was.”
The plans are now out for consultation until January 22, before being considered by Dorset Council planners.

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2022/07704.