A NORTH Bristol home for the elderly which had been due to be turned into a centre for dementia sufferers has been given a reprieve – but at the expense of another residential home in the south of the city.

Pensioners living at Brentry House in Brentry were told this week that they will not now have to move.

A resource centre will be created at Brentry House where older people can get extra help and care, for instance, after a fall, a stroke, or a period in hospital. The centre will run alongside the residential home.

The city council had planned four resource centres at existing homes at Bowmead, in Stockwood; Westleigh, in St George; Broomhill; and Maes Knoll elderly people's home in Bamfield, Whitchurch.

But now the council has decided to have Brentry as a resource centre site and close Maes Knoll instead – even though work on turning it into a resource centre had already started.

While residents and relatives at Brentry are overjoyed at the news, it has come as a shock to Maes Knoll residents who were assured in July that their home would not close.

The home is in the council ward of Hengrove and local councillors Jos Clark and Mary Sykes said they were alarmed when they heard about the council's change of plans.

Ms Clark said: "The residents and their relatives are just devastated...

"I spoke to the daughter of one lady who is 94 and she said she is not going to tell her mother because of the distress it will cause... Work had already started on turning one floor into a resource centre."

She added: "It is disgraceful how residents have been treated and given no chance to have their say about these proposals which will affect their lives so dramatically."

Ms Sykes said: "I cannot see why the provision of a resource centre in the north of the city requires the closure of a home in the south of the city. Maes Knoll is said to be chosen because of a lack of facilities in the area, but there are a number of facilities within walking or electric buggy distance with more planned for the future."

Jean Sallabank, 62, of Peverell Close, Brentry, whose mother Edith Souch, 90, is in Brentry House said: "This is an amazing turnaround by the council. Two months ago we were told that everyone would have to move to Redfield. Then on Thursday we were told Brentry House would not be closing after all and a resource centre would be created there.

"We are so happy about it, but I feel for the people over in Whitchurch. I don't think I have slept properly for 12 months worrying about this."

The council is set to make final decisions on the future of 13 residential homes on Thursday.

Eight homes are now set to close permanently. They are: Hayleigh, in Bedminster; St Peter's, Horfield; Birchwood, St Anne's; Gleeson House, Fishponds; Greville, Stockwood; Coombe, Westbury-on-Trym; Rockwell, Lawrence Weston; and Maes Knoll.

Care for 150 dementia sufferers will be provided at Vetchlea and Hollybrook, in Hartcliffe.

The closures will be staggered over the next five years and about 200 residents will move to other sites.

A spokesman for Bristol City Council said: "We have listened closely to what residents, their relatives and care staff have had to say about the original proposals for improving residential and care services for older people... .

Maes Knoll was not among the homes originally proposed for closure and we appreciate that the news that this is now being recommended will be unwelcome to many residents and relatives.

"However, the proposed closure would be delayed for four years and current permanent residents would be able to remain living in Maes Knoll until 2012, at which time they would be offered the choice of moving to one of three other council-owned homes, an independent sector home, or a very sheltered flat... Clearly this is a proposal at this stage and it will be for Cabinet to make the decision.

"If the closure of Maes Knoll is confirmed then the council would work closely with residents, their relatives and care staff to minimise disruption and to ensure all needs and concerns were addressed."