DISPLACED residents of a Colchester care home which is scheduled for demolition might not be able to move into the build which will replace it, a councillor fears.

Excelcare Equities has been given permission rebuild the Greenways Care Home, in St Filians Road, which closed down last year amid concerns for the welfare of elderly residents.

The firm promised residents a chance to move back to the new home, but revised plans for the development could make it unsuitable for them, says Paul Smith, Colchester councillor for St Johns ward.

Revised plans include kitchenettes in each resident’s bedroom and a basement space for staff changing, a kitchen, laundry room and staff centre.

The new application would also move a fire door and add an access ramp.

Mr Smith is worried changes might mean some of Greenways’ original residents could not return.

He said: “It’s interesting Excelcare is changing the nature of the development – clearly there are going to be no communal dining areas.

“The company is obviously looking for people who need a lower level of care.

“It means the original pledge to the existing residents, that they could move back in, looks a bit hollow. Some of them wouldn’t be able to cater for themselves. The county council promised us the home would be reopened by the end of the year, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

“And if they’re going to start digging basements, that’s going to take time, and what will happen with the foundations?

“It’s going to start getting expensive.

“I doubt it’ll be finished by the end of the year.”

The Gazette attempted to contact Stephen Bradbury Architects, the agent for Excelcare, but no one was available to comment.

The application will be considered by Colchester Council on Thursday.