A WENSLEYDALE old people’s home is set to be replaced with an alternative extra care scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council wants to demolish Brentwood Lodge, Leyburn, and create 53 apartments for the elderly, comprising 20 one-bed units specifically designed for people with dementia, 26 two-bed apartments and seven two-bed bungalows.

The scheme is a partnership between the county council, Broadacres Housing Association and Richmondshire District Council.

County councillor Clare Wood, North Yorkshire’s executive member for health and adult services, said: “We are putting forward this proposal for Leyburn because we believe that extra care is a model that works in every way, enabling people to lead independent lives in homes of their own but with the availability of 24-hour support.

“What we are doing with extra care across North Yorkshire is cited by government, care agencies, and the voluntary sector as the way we should all be progressing in the field of social care.”

Councillor John Blackie, leader of Richmondshire District Council, said the scheme represented a “transformational improvement” in the facilities on offer for elderly people in Leyburn, its surrounding villages, and from the Upper Dales.

He added: “It was essential to retain the specialist unit dealing with dementia and aged-related frailty at Brentwood that serves the deeply rural Upper Dales communities, to avoid relatives of residents travelling huge distances to visit them.

“Indeed, the scheme offers a 25 per cent improvement in capacity to meet the demand from a population that now lives much longer than before.”

Broadacres aims to submit a planning application in December which will give residents the chance to comment on the proposal.

The scheme will include a guest suite, assisted bathing room and specialist dementia support facilities.

Care managers say it will support a range of needs including physical disability, sensory impairment and anxiety.

Priority will be given to residents of Brentwood Lodge who will have a legal right to move to the scheme if they wish, and residents of Leyburn, surrounding villages and the Upper Dales.

The authority said it was currently considering alternative provision for the day and respite services at Brentwood Lodge. Meetings have been held with residents and their relatives.