A new developer has put in plans for a 78-bed care home on a former bowling club site after a previous planning battle to build homes there.

Harrison Varma has submitted its plans to redevelop the former Mansfield Bowling Club in Croftdown Road, Dartmouth Park. 

The new application proposes a five-storey, 'U’ shaped building with a lower ground floor and four storeys above ground.

READ MORE: Residents’ group launches campaign to take over Mansfield Bowling Club

Proposals also include parking, a community garden, three tennis courts and a pavilion.

The two-and-a-half acre plot, behind homes in Croftdown Road, York Rise, Laurier Road, and Dartmouth Park Avenue, was once given to the community by philanthropist Angela Burdett Coutts to be used for sport.

Ham & High: Harrison Varma is planning a five storey 78-bed care home in Dartmouth ParkHarrison Varma is planning a five storey 78-bed care home in Dartmouth Park (Image: SM Planning)

In October 2013 the owners of the 100-year-old club sold the site to developer Generator Group LLC.

After a long-running battle with Camden Council and residents, Generator secured permission in 1017 to build 21 homes, a community garden and new tennis courts.

READ MORE: Blow for Dartmouth Park community as council loses planning appeal on bowling club

In 2020 Generator Group sold the site to Harrison Varma.

In its planning statement, compiled by SM Planning, the developer states that access to the residential care home will be via Croftdown Road which is home to both La Sainte Union Catholic School and Brookfield Primary School.

A total of eight parking spaces are proposed to the parking area to the west of the building including the provision of one disabled parking bay, an ambulance bay, loading bay and goods access.

Short-stay cycle parking spaces are proposed next to the west elevation of the building, while long-stay cycle parking spaces are proposed within an internal cycle store located in the lower ground floor of the building.

Ham & High: The Mansfield Bowling Club has been derelict for more than 10 yearsThe Mansfield Bowling Club has been derelict for more than 10 years (Image: Archant)

The application adds: "The site has the benefit of an extant planning permission (2015/1444/P) which was allowed on appeal. 

"The Planning Inspector found that the leisure facility was no longer required and that there was no demand for an alternative use of the site which would be suitable." 

Residents and community groups have until May 2 to comment on the application.

Go to https://planningrecords.camden.gov.uk/ with the reference number 2022/5320/P