A former care home will be turned into flats.

The Victorian building in Hardwick Road, Eastbourne, has been a retirement home since the 1980s. it was sold by the owners after closing in April 2022.

It will now be turned into seven two-bed flats after plans put forward by Bedford Park Developments were approved by Eastbourne and Lewes Councils on Friday.

READ MORE: More flats could be built in city centre

The current rear extension will be demolished and rebuilt, with a new roof extension added on to the main building to create a penthouse apartment.

The flats, which will each have two bedrooms, will have a communal garden for residents to share.

This will also be shared with the people living in the two proposed mews cottages to the rear of the property, which have already been approved.

The main building will have cycle storage facilities on site but no car parking. 

A spokesman for Bedford Park Developments said: "These proposals seek to provide much-needed housing in a highly sustainable location close to the town centre and will make a significant contribution to alleviate the housing shortfall in the town.

"The proposed residential accommodation is provided at a high standard and will provide good quality accommodation for future occupiers."