Cornwall Council has revealed it is taking steps towards redeveloping two care homes in Cornwall after announcing both are "no longer fit for purpose". 

Among them is Trengrouse Care Home in Helston, which has remained empty since it closed at the beginning of 2022, with many locals asking what will happen to the building.

Now a report to Cornwall Council's cabinet recommends demolishing the existing building on the site and transferring the land for redevelopment into new care facilities. 

Formerly run by Cornwall Care, since 2001, in January last year the company decided to mothball it along with two other homes. 

An agreement was later reached for Sanctuary Housing to take over Cornwall Care, and as part of the lease of Trengrouse was transferred back to Cornwall Council. 

In August last year, a Cornwall Council spokesperson told the Packet that the building was to be used "for the re-establishment of care."

However, a report to be considered by the council's Cabinet next Wednesday states that, following Coserv Care's indication it wishes to exit the care home market, there are now plans to seek a new provider for the building, which would be redeveloped and brought back into use as a care home. 

The site would be transferred to the new provider on the basis that they would fund and develop the sites, and operate the new build residential and nursing care homes, in return for a long-term care contract with the council.

This would include providing the council with dedicated access to a percentage of the beds in the new care homes, through a block contracting agreement. 

The single-storey building off Trengrouse Way, Helston, dates back to the 1960s and includes 41 beds, but is described as not currently meet modern standards or customer expectations.

The report adds that the building is "no longer fit for purpose."

A bid is being made to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for up to £600,000 to fund the demolition costs of the existing building, to "enhance the value and marketability of the site for redevelopment."

The report recommends the disposal of the site by way of freehold transfer.

It is stated that in Cornwall the number of adults over the age of 65 is predicted to rise by 24% by 2030 and, within the same time period, it is anticipated there will be a 31% increase in people living with dementia.

"The significant demand pressures, and the limited available supply of care home beds within Cornwall's care home market, are such that services, particularly for people with specialist dementia, needs are often not available when people need them, putting additional pressure on the NHS and local care providers," adds the report. 

READ MORE: Latest on Trengrouse House in Helston after Cornwall Care leave

At Helston’s Town Council meeting on Thursday (March 16), the future of Trengrouse Care Home was brought to the attention of members by Cllr Mike Thomas.

He said although a new development could potentially benefit Helston, it could also bring potential issues.

Mr Thomas said: “I welcome the idea of it, and I think it’s a fantastic project.

“But it could potentially be a big issue if it becomes a building site, it could cause disruption to the town.”

Along with Trengrouse House, a report being considered by the council next week also states that Trefula House Nursing Home in St Day is similarly no longer fit for purpose and will need redevelopment.