A Harbour Road home could be renovated to create a new seniors living facility, according to planning documents.

An application, submitted on behalf of Serenity Gardens, proposed converting a house at the junction of Harbour Road and Lovers Lane into a residential care home with accommodation for up to 12 residents.

Planning documents included with the application said: “The need for appropriate accommodation for their residents is urgent as there is high demand for beds and a shortage of supply.

“As such, this application is intended to provide accommodation as quickly as possible for 12 residents with minimal works proposed.

“It is hoped that a later phase [to be covered in a separate planning application] will provide additional accommodation on the site.”

While the building is subdivided into a one-bedroom residence and a three-bedroom residence, the applicant proposed internal modifications to the building to link the residences together.

The application said: “At ground-floor level the interior will be reconfigured to accommodate nine beds split across four bedrooms. Two bathrooms and a powder room will be available for resident use.

“To the north of the building a large, flexible resident communal and activity space will provide level access to the existing external terrace area with views out to the gardens and waterfront.

“Separate staff areas with associated storage, kitchenette, bathroom and office space will be provided.”

The project would also include renovations to the upper floor to create a three-bed space with an en suite bathroom.

Meanwhile, a separate building on the property would be converted into a small commercial kitchen to serve residents.

Exterior works would include the creation of new gates to control vehicle access to the property, replacing the driveway with a “grasscrete” surface and rock cuts in an embankment behind the building to create a parking area for staff and visitors.

The application added: “The proposals will provide vital additional residential care accommodation addressing a growing need in Bermuda for such facilities.

“The initial proposals put forward in this application are light-touch and the visual impact of the changes on surrounding properties will be minimal.”