A RESIDENTIAL home for the elderly in Bromsgrove that has been under the threat of closure for 18 months could be turned into very sheltered accommodation.

The future of Blackmore House, in School Drive, became the subject of much speculation following the introduction of new national standards for care homes.

It was thought that substantial refurbishment work would have to be undertaken at the home, which is currently running at a £30,000-a-year loss, to bring it up to scratch.

Further guidelines on the standards suggested the work needed was not as serious as first imagined.

But in looking at accommodation for older people in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire County Council officers found a shortage of very sheltered accommodation, while residential places were well catered for.

At a meeting of the county council's cabinet, members voted to approve a further consultation exercise.

Officers believe the best way forward is to close the residential unit and use the site to build very sheltered accommodation.

But residents at Blackmore have said they would like to stay where they are.

June Longmuir, county councillor for Bromsgrove South, said she welcomed a further two-month consultation period.

"More information can be made available to help make an informed decision on the future of Blackmore House," she said.

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

Coun Peter Pinfield said the council would have to make difficult decisions over the home's future.

"We need to face the reality of the future of Blackmore House and make decisions based on the facts given to us by the professionals," he said.

"As part of the consultation process, members should visit the home and other very sheltered accommodation to help in the decision-making process."