CHARITY bosses plan to close a prominent North Yorkshire residential home for people with severe physical disabilities.

The Leonard Cheshire home at Alne Hall, near Easingwold, will shut its doors within two years, to be replaced with a development of supported living units at a new site.

It will mean that 28 residents will be moved to alternative accommodation, while up to 50 members of staff are expected to be offered transfers to other homes.

Senior members of the disabled charity said residents had been told of the closure, but no decision had been made on the new location or what would happen to the historic hall.

They said the move was because it was not possible to renovate the building, which they had occupied since 1956, to conform with new care home standards.

Jonathan Giles, Yorkshire regional director for Leonard Cheshire, said his staff were working with the county council and other local authorities on future plans for supporting disabled people.

York care chiefs said six or seven people from the city received support at the home and discussions were taking place to find them new accommodation.

Mary Carrington, of Friends of Alne Hall, which runs two charity shops in Easingwold and Boroughbridge, said fundraising work would continue.

She said: "We don't yet know what will be needed at the new centre. Everybody will be sad to leave Alne Hall, but I suppose you have to say that's life."

Alne Hall is a residential and nursing home for up to 30 disabled people aged between 18 and 65. It houses a range of special aids and equipment to help residents live independently.

Mr Giles said: "In 2007, Alne Hall will be replaced with a development of supported living units which will ensure both a greater level of independence and better access to the local community for disabled people.

"It is not possible to adapt the existing premises to meet the requirements of the Care Standards Act.

"A key factor in the planning of the replacement schemes will be the need to ensure that people are not isolated or insecure."

The charity was set up by RAF Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, VC, who served as a bomber pilot at Linton and Driffield during the Second World War. It now provides services for more than 10,000 disabled people in the UK.

Updated: 10:25 Friday, June 17, 2005