A Southampton care home under threat of closure would have to be “knocked down and rebuilt” to meet modern standards, the deputy city council leader has said.

A consultation to decide the future of Holcroft House is underway after a fire safety assessment in 2021 identified a number of issues.

Speaking at a recent scrutiny meeting, Cllr Lorna Fielker revealed the extent of the work needed if the 34-bed residential home in Thornhill - the only council-owned facility in the city - was to remain open.

Cllr Fielker, who's also the Cabinet member for health, said Holcroft House would have to be “practically knocked down and rebuilt to make it in line with the modern standards that are expected”.

Daily Echo: Cllr Lorna FielkerCllr Lorna Fielker (Image: SCC)

She said: “In 2019 I made a commitment to keep Holcroft open and that commitment was really important to me but I don’t think it shows leadership or compassion if I don’t review if it’s right in light of new information which we have now.

“This decision is driven completely by what is in the interests of residents. This isn’t a decision driven by finances.”

Cllr Fielker said that even if fire safety works did take place, residents would still continue to suffer from poor access to toilets, baths and showers.

Work had been due to start in 2022 but this did not go ahead due to the care needs of one of the residents.

Now, the council is considering closing the care home due to concerns that moving residents out for the duration of the work, or keeping them there whilst work takes place, would not be practical.

Some residents previously said closing the site would be “devastating”.

Opposition leader, Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry raised concerns over the lack of financial information given at this time.

Speaking after the meeting, the Conservative councillor said: “We are very concerned about the impact on residents in Holcroft House of the Labour council’s plans.

“There needs to be a wide range of options considered, with full financial details and analysis of the impact available to justify any decision.

“As a Conservative council we invested the £600,000 required for the fire safety works in February 2022 and it’s disappointing to see 18 months later under Labour this work has not happened and the home now faces closure.”

Cllr Fielker told the meeting that the cost of raising the standards of the home would be in the region of £4.5m.

A consultation on the future of Holcroft House, which can be found on the city council’s website, is due to run until August 23 with a decision expected at a cabinet meeting on September 19.