A DOCTOR wants to turn a derelict historical hotel into a private care home for teenagers with behavioural problems.

Dr Saleem Khan and his wife have put in a change of use application to Burnley Council for The Alexander Hotel in Leven Street.

The £450,000 scheme would see the building revamped to cater for seven to eight children aged between 13 and 18 and employ around 15 staff.

It would be managed by Mr and Mrs Khan, who have more than 15 years experience working with children with mental health issues.

Mr Khan said: “This is the first project of its kind we have ventured into and we are waiting on planning permission before we buy the hotel.

“If all goes to plan, we hope to open in the summer.

“We will appoint a very specific and local staff group with registered mental health workers. There is a huge gap in the market for young people who struggle to be housed after placements break down.

“Speaking to local authorities, there are many young people who have some kind of behavioural, emotional or mental issue but find it very difficult to access services. We aim to be a one-stop shop, handling these referals from social services.

“We want to create a homely environment. These young people have nowhere to go and are being condemned in society when the reality is most have underlying psychological problems.

“Yes it is a business plan, but there is a real need in the area for a place like this.”

The revamp would create individual bedrooms, sensory rooms, recreation and education areas. The Khans, from Hale, Cheshire, have a business called Nestling Care Ltd and hope to recruit locally. It would be managed by Mrs Khan with three full-time staff and between 10 and 15 part time nurses and carers.

Mr Khan added: “We don’t want people to attach a negative stigma to these children or to the care home. The attraction of the location is that it is close enough for them to access services, but still segregated. There is a huge need to be fulfilled in East Lancashire.”

The Alexander Hotel was once part of the Townley estate and used by one of Burnley’s most historic families. It fell victim to the credit crunch in 2009 and closed down.