The Shaftesbury Society has announced plans to shut Ingatestone's Trueloves care home in the next few years.
They revealed their decision in a press conference on Monday at the Trueloves Lane site after breaking the news to staff and the families of residents in a series of meetings.
Families of the adults with learning difficulties who live at Trueloves are due to meet next month to discuss the possibility of running the site themselves or finding another care provider to replace the Shaftesbury Society and keep the home open.
In the meantime, Brentwood and Ongar MP, Eric Pickles has slammed the Christian based charity accusing them of treating the community with "arrogance and contempt" and having "no consideration for the residents or their families".
Mr Pickles, who was outraged that the society did not contact him to be a part of their talks, has vowed to join forces with the Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Association and relatives of the residents to fight for the survival of Trueloves.
Chief Executive of the Shaftesbury Society, Mary Bishop, said they were acting in the best interests of the residents and in accordance with guidelines set in the Government's national strategy for people with learning disabilities, Valuing People.
She said: "The guidelines want people with learning disabilities to try and live more independently in homes closer to the community.
"The Trueloves site is a bit out of the way and sometimes the residents feel cut off as it can be almost an expedition just to get to Ingatestone. If they were to live in their own homes they would still receive the appropriate support from the society.
"We will spend a lot of time talking to each of the 20 residents of Trueloves House to find out what is best for them and there is a range of options available."
Ms Bishop added that there were no plans to shut the nursery at the site or Anniversary Mews, a block of residential flats where people live more independently than those at Trueloves House.
Terry Woods, whose son lives at Trueloves, said: "This is not the news we wanted.
"We had hoped to hear the site was going to stay open which I would prefer as my son is safer and happier there."
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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