THE closure of a care home would constitute unacceptable "rural discrimination", protestors claim.

The Northern Echo reported yesterday (Wednesday, April 9), Newtown House in Stanhope is one of five care homes being recommended for closure by Durham County Council.

Concerned members of Wolsingham and Stanhope parish councils united to prepare a 10 page report urging the county to rethink its plan for Newtown House, which currently houses 15 people and employs 32.

Richard Mews, chairman of Stanhope Parish Council, said it is an essential facility in Weardale and closure would leave relatives facing long and often unfeasible trips to visit loved ones.

In addressing the future of the four other homes - Cheveley House, Belmont; Feryemount, Ferryhill; Grampian House, Peterlee and Mendip House, Chester-le-Street - Durham County Council assessed where the nearest privately-run facilities would be within a five mile radius.

But for Newtown House, it extended the travel area to 15 miles.

“Not only is this blatant and totally unacceptable rural discrimination, it is discrimination against the rural elderly which is significantly more distasteful," said Coun Mews.

Rachael Shimmin, corporate director of children and adult services, said it was unsurprising people in a rural area would have to travel, with the nearest home being 12 miles away in Consett.

“The question of how far it is reasonable to expect people in rural areas to travel for services is an important matter for decision in this instance," she added.

The parish report also accuses the county council of being Durham-centric adding: "The elderly residents of Weardale appear almost an irrelevance."

The parish councils claim there is a need for Newtown House in Weardale, where 33 per cent of its 8,063 residents are aged over 60.

The county council held a public consultation on its proposals, with around 85 per cent of those who responded against closure of Newtown House.

The authority says it is more expensive to look after residents in council run care homes then paying for them to stay in private ones.

It also said it needs to spend £361,562 over the next 10 years to bring Newtown House to an acceptable standard although a Care Quality Commission inspection in November 2013 said it met all expected levels.

Inspectors noted: “There was a calm and friendly atmosphere and the building was clean, warm and well maintained.”

The council’s cabinet is due to make a decision at their meeting in Crook on Wednesday, April 16.