SINCE 2017 Polars Residential Home in Newport has stood empty — but what is happening to it?

The care home closed down in September 2017 after the property was sold by Somerset Care, who still own Inver House in Bembridge.

In 2015, when Somerset Care still owned the building, it received planning permission to demolish Polars and its outbuilding, replacing it with a 67 bed care home and 12 houses.

In the recent draft Island Planning Strategy, however, plans appear to have changed as the site was listed to potentially yield 50 homes.

The state of the property though has fallen into disrepair, with overgrown vegetation, broken windows and gutters causing issues for vulnerable residents living next door in Wallace Court.

Isle of Wight County Press:

One resident, Les, said he has lost count of the times he has phoned the police due to people breaking into the building.

Hampshire Constabulary said they were aware of the ongoing concerns, having attended the site in response to criminal allegations and reports of anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson for the force said they have made arrests at Polars as part of ongoing enquiries.

They said they will continue to liaise with the new owner of Polars, Laurie Gustar, who retains responsibility for the site’s security, but strongly advises against people accessing the site and asks anyone concerned to report incidents to the police.