An application to turn a care home that elderly residents fought to save from closure into housing has been rejected.

London and Regional Properties applied to convert Middleton Manor, in Wantz Road, Maldon, into five houses and build four terraced houses behind it.

The home, which housed 26 residents aged mainly in their 80s and 90s, closed in April last year.

The residents were given two months’ notice to leave and at least two died shortly after leaving.

Larchwood Care, which ran the home, said it was no longer commercially viable and, due to its age and layout “no longer consistent” with providing high-quality care.

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