CONCERN has been raised about the decision of BCP Council to pursue the demolition of a former care home building in Northbourne.

An application to knock down Templeman House in Leedam Road was submitted earlier this month although the council says it has no further plans to redevelop the site.

But Redhill and Northbourne ward councillor Jackie Edwards questioned the decision to demolish a care home at a time when there is pressure on the industry.

The building had been leased by Bournemouth council to Care South to run the facility but closed – a move followed by the submission of plans for its demolition under permitted development rights.

The planning application says the council wants to clear the site to allow it to be redeveloped but a spokesman said no future plans had yet been drawn up.

Conservative Cllr Edwards criticised the lack of information provided to her about the plans at the first meeting of the council health scrutiny committee on Monday.

“Until recently it was run by Care South and it looks very well maintained,” she said.

“However, a planning application has gone in which gives me cause for concern – surely care homes are in demand?

“There is a need for ward councillors and this committee to know about these decisions. We need to know about problems with a care home.”

The care home was given a ‘good’ rating by the Care Quality Commission last year, shortly before it was closed.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for adults and health Cllr Lesley Dedman said the building needed to be brought up to a higher standard but that would limit its business potential.

She said: “Although the building looks good from the outside, if it was refigured up to standards it would minimise the number of beds to a level which meant we couldn’t run it as a viable care home.”

However, she added that she supported Cllr Edwards’ calls for ward councillors to be given more information.

Jan Thurgood, council director for adult social care, said the council was “prioritising” the creation of a new strategy for care home provision in the conurbation.