More regeneration work could take place at a derelict former care home in Gateshead.

The redevelopment of the former Valley View Residential Home on Burn Road, Winlaton will now include the potential construction of 13 one-bedroom flats. Permission has already been granted to transform the eastern wing of the defunct care home into 18 assisted living homes.

Council officers have recommended councillors approve the scheme.

However, council documents state 60% of new builds or converted buildings throughout Gateshead should be for families or homes with three bedrooms or more.

Despite these targets, the council officers’ report into the scheme stated the development is “not considered harmful and or prejudicial to the delivery of the local plan”.

The report into the application also stated: “It is considered that the development brings about a number of benefits such as the reuse of a vacant building and a boost to the borough’s housing stock.”

The care home, housing 27 elderly and vulnerable people at the time, closed down in 2017 after the premises became financially unsustainable.

A Care Quality Commission inspection in 2017 also found severe problems within the care home and gave the home an overall inspection rating of ‘requires improvement’.

The commission found that medicines were not consistently managed safely and the home had no registered manager. In addition, inspectors observed “a small number of occasions where staff did not respond quickly enough to peoples’ needs”.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday, February 23 2023, to decide on the application for the new homes.