A bid to convert a former care home in Arnold into apartments has divided public opinion with some businesses concerned about where residents will park.
Developers want to transform Millbeck House, in Oakdale Road, in a move designed to create 23 apartments for families and young professionals.
Up to 16 car parking spaces are expected to serve the site, plans submitted to Gedling Borough Council have revealed.
Some members of the public backed the prospect of bringing the site back into use, while others questioned the parking situation.
Midday supervisor Jessica Gwinnett, 37, of Arnold, said: “I personally don’t mind them changing it.
"It’s better to make it into something but it makes you wonder who will live there.
"The bus route is nearby so it will be easy for people to get into the city centre.”
Full-time mum Rebecca McKeag, 37, of Daybrook, said: “As long as the people who move in become part of the community it’s fine.
"It’s not a bad area and I’m interested to see what happens to it.”
However, Ben Marriott, 34, manager of Beechwood Butchers, in Beechwood Road, Arnold, said: “There is definitely room for people here.
"It saves the building and means it’s not going to waste so it’s better that people are in there and that it is being used for something.
"There are a lot of things around here like the park and school."
He added: "We used to the supply the Millbeck House with meat every week. One issue that could come from it is parking.
"If they want to build 23 apartments, then where are they all going to park?”
Stella Robertson, 57, of Basford, owner of Woods of Arnold Florist, Beechwood Road, said: “I know there was a lot of opposition to it closing.
"I think Vernon Coaker (the former Labour MP for Gedling) was involved.
"There are a lot of houses around here already but it was more beneficial to me when it was a care home because people would buy flowers for residents or for loved ones who had passed away.
"I can’t see why young people would want to live here because it isn’t really close to the city."
Plans state: "The proposed works to be carried out on the property will have a positive effect on the local economy by providing accommodation for growing families and young professionals looking to live in an affordable, family-friendly, residential area while still being close to the convenience of Arnold centre and city centre amenities."
They add: "The existing site is currently unused, and the building is vacant and uninhabited.
"We feel that this plot of land could benefit from receiving use of more significance by utilising the residential facilities and creating apartments.
"The change of use is appropriate and meets national and local planning guidelines to ensure the appropriate scale of new housing is provided which reduces the need to take green belt land for development."
Alan Forsyth, Hockley Developments managing director, told Nottinghamshire Live: “When we were aware Abbeyfield were selling Millbeck House, we knew this would be an excellent property with plenty of potential.
"We believe there will be huge demand locally from owner occupiers and Help to Buyers for the one and two bedroom apartments that we propose to convert this building into, and we have already had a number of enquiries.
"This is a lovely residential area of Arnold and we look forward to adding value with some much needed new one and two bedroom homes."
