Seven sites for homes for the elderly could be sold off

Seven sites earmarked for 400 specialist homes for elderly people in Shropshire could be sold off after planned Government funding for the scheme was cancelled.

Land in Shrewsbury, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Wem, Highley and Baschurch had been chosen for the building of the extra care properties.

But £137 million of funding for the scheme was withdrawn by the Homes and Communities Agency towards the end of last year.

The developments were intended to include facilities for residents, including services such as GP surgeries.

Now Shropshire Council is seeking businesses and organisations for soft market testing in potential future developments of the sites.

Interested parties have until Thursday to put forward a submission.

A prior information notice says: "Shropshire Council wishes to review seven sites previously earmarked for extra care development to consider the optimum use of these sites for the future, not excluding disposal where appropriate or equally working with housing developers or registered social landlords which wish to develop extra care and affordable social housing.

"Please note that the council will not be putting forward any capital towards development on these sites nor any commitment towards revenue or support funding any development.

"At all times the council's revenue support of services will be determined by the council's eligibility criteria for social care."

Earlier this year, Councillor Malcolm Price, of Shropshire Council, said it was "important" that the authority made the best use of the sites, which could involve extra care housing or alternative developments.