Controversial care home opens (From The Northern Echo)

Controversial care home opens

12:02pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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A £.7.7M care home, which stirred up controversy when it was first planned, has been opened in a market town.

The 51-bedroom Rivendale centre, in Northallerton, has been developed by Broadacres Housing Association, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council and Hambleton District Council.

It stands on the site of the former Ashlands learning disabilities day centre and has replaced the Oak Mount Elderly Persons Home.

The development was opened by Baby Cox, a member of the housing association’s board.

The 76-year-old still works as a carer following a career in nursing that has spanned nearly 63 years, both in Northallerton and her native South Africa.

Amenities at Rivendale, which are available to the wider community, include a restaurant, hair and beauty salon and a shop.

* More than 60 people signed a petition objecting to proposals for the three-storey development, when the plans were published in 2008.

Objectors argued the development was incongruous with the surrounding housing estate and expressed concerns over potential loss of privacy.