A BROMSGROVE home for the elderly looks set to be demolished and the land developed, following a decision made by county councillors on Thursday.

Days could be numbered at Blackmore House after Worcestershire County Council's executive cabinet decided their preferred option was to close the home and use the site to build very-sheltered accommodation.

The School Drive building's future has been uncertain since the Government's introduction of National Minimum Standards.

It was believed major work was necessary to meet new laws, but guidelines later revealed the revamp could be scaled down. But county bosses insist the home is running at a loss and its rooms will not attract residents because they are not en-suite.

The executive cabinet stated they would prefer to see an alternative use for the land and have entered a two-month period of consultation before the decision is finalised.

However, the leader of the opposition Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, Councillor Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), who is also the county councillor for Rubery, has strongly opposed the proposal.

"The county council ought to be ashamed," he said

"There is no need for Blackmore House to be closed. The ramifications are very serious, it will lead to bed blocking in our hospitals and over-crowded residential homes."

District councillor David McGrath (Lab-Beacon), the chairman of Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council, called for the matter to be discussed at a full council meeting of Bromsgrove District Council, last night.

"It is important the district council does something before the consultation period is over and it is too late," he said.

But Worcestershire County Councillor, June Longmuir (Con-Bromsgrove South), supported the decision to close the home.

"I support the recommendation, as during the consultation further more detailed information can be made available to help make an informed decision on the future of Blackmore House.

"Our role is a strategic one, to not only look at accommodation services for older people presently, but to look at how this affects the future too.

"Another option for Blackmore House is selling the site, but I am pleased to see that the preferred option is to continue to increase the care for older people and not profiting from capital of a sale."