Controversial plans to convert a former care home – which lost half its residents during the pandemic – into a house for up to 24 people have been rejected.

Despite already having a licence allowing it to operate as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) the bid for Pelham House in Folkestone has now been dealt a blow.

Applicant Roger Waluube hoped the scheme, which would see residents sharing facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms, would bring new life to the property.

Mr Waluube managed the building, in Pelham Gardens, when it was a care home.

He previously said the impact of the Covid pandemic - which saw half the residents in the care home die - and spiralling utility bills meant it was no longer a viable business and shut last June.

Instead he wanted to change it into a HMO with 23 bedrooms for up to 24 people.

However, Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning officers have now refused the scheme, arguing they did not receive sufficient information to justify the loss of a care home.

In a report published this month, officers said redeveloping the building would negatively impact the street's character.

They added: “It has not been demonstrated that residential care or institutional use in the building is not economically sustainable.

“There is no evidence the property has been actively marketed at a reasonable rate for a period of at least 12 months, and no reasonable offers have been made.

“The proposal would result in an increased parking demand relative to the outgoing use and would fail to provide adequate off-street parking facilities to serve the development.

“The resulting increase in frontage and on-street parking would have a detrimental impact on the established character and appearance of the street scene.”

Mr Waluube did not respond to requests for comment about his intentions following the scheme’s rejection.

Despite gaining an HMO licence from FHDC in April, the site cannot lawfully operate as such until a separate planning application for the scheme is approved.

Bosses therefore requested permission to change the allocated use of the site.

Neighbours previously raised concerns, with 50 objections submitted on the FHDC planning portal.

They feared that approval would set a “dangerous precedent” for the future, making it harder for council bosses to refuse applications for hostels and Airbnbs.

Peter Callander, who has lived on the quiet residential street for 20 years, was among those worried.

The 54-year-old said: “You choose to live somewhere that fits your needs, and we chose this close because it was quiet - but now there could be an additional 20 cars in the street.

“Affordable housing is needed, but is this the solution?

“It feels like a knee-jerk reaction - leaving residents with a change they haven’t been consulted about.”

Previously, locals fought to save the care home and raised £9,950 to ensure its survival after the pandemic.

In the summer of 2020, bosses spoke about the tragic events in a heartbreaking special edition of Panorama.

Then, in 2021, Mr Waluube helped guide a Channel 4 drama that focused on how staff struggled at the height of the pandemic.

Titled ‘Help’, the show starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham.