A FORMER council-run old folks' home has been sold and will be replaced by a new private care home.
Oakwood, in Royston near Barnsley, closed in January after Barnsley Council and the primary care trust decided it cost too much to run and the building needed too much money spending on it.
Locals had fought for two years to keep it open and thous
ands signed a petition to retain the facility.
There were fears that, once the home closed, the site might be sold off to a private developer for housing.
But now Leeds-based Orchard Care Homes has bought the home and submitted a planning application to build a new 62-bed care home on the site.
Local councillor Tim Cheetham welcomed the news as did Royston Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Committee member Barbara Grayson said: "We are happy with the negotiations and happy it will be turned into a care home."
Orchard Homes spokesman Simon Dillinger said the plan was to open one of the UK's most advanced care homes for the elderly, and confirmed the old building will be demolished and replaced.
He said: "The number of care beds in the region has actually fallen in the past 10 years as many local authorities are closing down their own homes."
What do you think? Add your comment below.READ MOREMore Barnsley newsMain news indexLettersFind out what else is going on in your area and send us the news that is happening In Your Neighbourhood, click hereCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport.The full article contains 284 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
