Up to eight care homes across the county could close

Up to eight care homes could close as part of the five-year plan.

The county council said the scheme would give older people more independence and choice to stay in their own homes.

The authority decided to carry out a three-month consultation on the plans at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

In a statement, the county council said homes being kept open would provide extra services including emergency care, breaks for carers and long-term care for people with complex problems.

What we do know from talking to people is that they want to live behind their own front door County Councillor Mick Storey

Residents from Leivers Court in Arnold said they would fight the closure plan.

Resident Katy Astley, said: "I don't want to move. I want to be with the other ladies and the staff are good to us."

Councillor Mick Storey said no decisions would be taken until the county council had listened to what people had to say.

"What we do know from talking to people is that they want to live behind their own front door and have some support.

"Whether we need to keep the number of residential homes we've got is why we want to listen and ask Nottinghamshire people what they think," he said.

If the closure of the homes goes ahead, the council plans to open "Extra Care" facilities which would offer a form of sheltered housing with residents having their own homes with access to 24-hour support if they need it.

The homes earmarked for closure are St Michael's View in Retford, James Hince Court in Carlton-in-Lindrick, Daleside in Mansfield, Kirklands in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Ashcroft in Sutton-in Ashfield, Leivers Court in Arnold, Beuvale Court in Eastwood and Bishops Court in Boughton.