COUNCILLORS opposed to the closure of a Great Sutton care home are demanding an explanation as to why it should be axed.

Labour trio Angela Claydon, Tony Sherlock and Pat Merrick want senior Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) officers to take them around Sutton Beeches in Alvanley Road and justify the proposed closure of the popular facility.

The authority plans to build a new 72-bedroomed centre at the former Woodfield Primary School site in Newton, Chester.

If the new centre gets the green light and opens in 2012, Sutton Beeches and Curzon House in Chester would be closed.

A Facebook group called ‘Save Sutton Beeches’ was set up last month and more than 500 people have signed a petition opposing the plan.

Cllr Claydon said: "We need to know exactly why this closure is being proposed. What I want is for the senior officers to explain why it needs to be closed and why they can’t just upgrade it.

"Like many other people in the Ellesmere Port area, I have used Sutton Beeches over the years when both my parents were in need of the services there.

"My dad used the day centre and respite care and my mum spent several weeks in the rehabilitation unit following a fall.

"The services were excellent, and importantly, they were local. I believe that this facility needs to be kept in Ellesmere Port - Chester is too far for elderly people and their families to travel.

"For many in Ellesmere Port the new facility would mean taking three buses to visit."

Cllr Merrick says it’s ‘crucial’ the service is maintained in the town.

She said: "A very good case has to be made before agreeing to site all provision and operate from one central building even if it is a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility."

The three councillors, who represent the Grange and Rossmore ward in Ellesmere Port, will be attending a Policy Development Board meeting tonight (Wednesday, July 28) to discuss the proposal with executive member and adult social care and health portfolio holder, Cllr Brenda Dowding.

Cllr Sherlock explained: "We will be asking lots of questions at the policy development board. Unfortunately these meetings are not open to the public and the discussions are not formally minuted.

"We will be asking about the consultation procedures as this will affect staff and both current and future users of the facility."

The new centre will include six multi purpose units, each with 12 en-suite bedrooms, two of which will be for people with dementia, two for intermediate care and two for respite/short stay.

There will also be a 20 place day care facility for people with dementia and 12 bungalows in the grounds to offer homes for older people who need care and support.

According to CWAC, the new centre will have the latest health and safety features to combat infections and meet the most recent fire safety requirements, including a mist system.

Conservative Cllr Brenda Dowding believes there is ‘significant over capacity in the respite service of up to 20%’ which she argues ‘is not a cost effective and sustainable position, especially during the current economic climate’.

The confirmed closure of the unit at Lightfoot Lodge in Hoole, Chester, will contribute to the savings target set by the council, she says.