Landmark hotel to be transformed under plans for large care home

A former hotel in Brislington could be transformed under plans for a large care home unveiled this week. The White Hart Lodge was built as a coaching inn on the Bath Road in 1738, but in more recent years it has been used as a base for the Bristol School of Performing Arts.

Now, Meadow Care Homes has come up with a proposal to build a 80-bed care home over four storeys on the land behind it. The new building would connect to the back of the Grade II-listed fomer pub, which also be turned into a ‘shared community space’.

Ideas for the ‘shared community space’ include a hairdresser salon and nail bar on the second level, a performance space on the first level and a care home residents and community cafe at ground floor.

Under the proposal, the site would also include several flats for key workers and there would be a garden. Access to all the facilities would be off the main Bath Road, with a small number of parking spaces to be provided.

The plans have been put out for public consultation by company Avril Baker Consultatancy. Feedback can be given here, with a deadline of February 11. There will also be a face-to-face event at the lodge on January 31.

Once the consultation is complete, it is likely that a planning application will be submitted to Bristol City Council for approval.