CONTROVERSIAL plans to close two Southampton rest homes have been suspended.

Council care bosses have suspended shutting the homes while they meet lawyers for residents who want to stay there.

Yesterday it was revealed that council workers are being balloted for strike action in protest at the proposals.

Care workers at 55-bed Whitehaven Lodge in Millbrook and 33-bed Birch Lawn in Sholing, are threatening a one-day walkout on February 18 – the same day as the council’s budget meeting.

Residents and families argue the council’s decision was unlawful because it failed to consider the effect of residents’ health.

They also want an investigation into the deaths of at least six residents since the closure decision was made in October.

Fifty remaining residents were due to be moved out in the next 18 months and two care managers had been appointed to assess residents and help them choose new homes.

A council spokes-man confirmed legal chiefs had written to the residents’ solicitors agreeing to meet for talks.

“Everything has been put on hold. The closure has been suspended until the prospect of judicial review is resolved,” the spokesman said.

Despite a 5,000 name petition Tory leaders decided to close the homes claiming there was a falling demand and the authority would save £500,000 by buying care from the private sector.

The council said private firms were not interested in running the homes, which it claimed need £400,000 of repairs.

The sale of the two sites could net the council about £1.5m.

Unison and Unite, which represent 90 per cent of the staff, say they are giving the council notice of the strike so it can make alternative arrangements for the care of residents.

Terry Hinton, from Unite, said: “The carers, residents and their home are like family. This is the wrong option to take and the decision to close should be revisited.”