An application by Mr and Mrs D. Murray could see a former care home converted into a private house.

The Murrays’ application (20/00280/B) is for the former Eastfield Mansion House, Eastfield, Douglas.

Their proposal utilises much of the original building footprint and landscaping ’in order to protect the character of the site and respect its position within the Woodbourne Road conservation area’.

The application would reverse much of the ’ad hoc’ development that has been added to the original building. It would also reinstate the break between Eastfield Terrace and Eastfield Mansion House.

To achieve this, the application stated the modern link building would be removed and replaced with a ’new more sensitive link that is smaller in scale and creates the visual break that allows the terrace to be seen as originally intended’.

Other changes include improved insulation, double glazing, ventilation, under floor heating and the use of air source heat pumps.

According to the application, this will allow a more open-plan approach to the house and as such, the stairs will be moved into the rear outrigger to create a ’more formal entrance’.

Other changes to the stairs will ’make the house layout significantly more legible and usable’.

The proposed one and two storey extensions have been designed to have a Manx stone outer layer to ’emphasise the original form of the house and maintain a separation between the house, as proposed, and the end of Eastfield Terrace’.

The application added: ’The original mansion house is prominent in its design and appearance, which is largely visible at the front of the building in the form of large windows, prominent gables and detailing overlooking mature gardens and giving it the feeling of a grand residence.

’The rear of the building, typically, not so carefully detailed is much more workmanlike, reflecting the way this part of the house would have been originally used for deliveries, storage, kitchens and staff.’