TWO more council-run care homes are to close within the next year, according to plans being discussed next week.

The closures will be the next stage in City of York Council's overhaul of older people's accommodation, following the closures of Grove House and Oakhaven earlier this year, and of Oliver House and Fordlands.

Next Thursday, councillors on the ruling executive will hear about progress with information on the Health and Wellbeing Hub planned for the former Burnholme School site; the extension of care provision to a full 24-hour service at Auden House and Glen Lodge Extra Care Schemes, and 27 new homes to be built at Glen Lodge.

They will also be asked to agree to start moves to close one more home this autumn, and one in the first half of next year, according to a report by older people's homes programme director Roy Wallington.

The five remaining homes are:

  • Woolnough House
  • Haxby Hall
  • Morrell House
  • Willow House
  • Windsor House

Which of those is considered next for closure will depend on issues including the condition of the buildings, whether there are alternative uses for the sites, whether residents in the homes have already had to move because of an earlier closure, and the size and cost-effectiveness of the homes.

At Haxby Hall, however, the council could soon start trying to buy land nearby so it can avoid closure.

In his report, Mr Wallington said buying land would make redeveloping the site and improving facilities possible, and could help attract an independent care home operator to take it over.

That would mean Haxby Hall could run as both a residential and nursing home, which council-owned homes are not allowed to do, letting residents stay on if they become ill or need more intensive nursing care.

New plans are also coming forward to redevelop the old Lowfields School site, and it could follow a similar plan to the Burnholme scheme. After the earlier "super care home" was abandoned for being too expensive, council staff are drawing up a plan with a new care home, housing, a GP surgery and health centre, public parks, and public services like the police working from shared buildings.

Nearby residents will be asked for their views, but if the new plans are agreed, work could start in late 2018.