By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 15:24, Friday, 13 January 2012

Campaigners fighting the planned closure of Aspatria’s only care home have invited county councillors to visit the home before they make up their minds.

Approximately 3,400 people have signed a petition against the closure of Park Lodge.

It will be presented to a Cumbria County Council meeting next month.

In the meantime Iris Stobbart, of the campaigning group Park Lodge – The Future, addressed a cabinet meeting in Carlisle yesterday.

She told councillors: “I’d like you to visit Park Lodge before making a decision on its future and recognise the gap in adult social care that will be left if you go for closure.

“It’s a wonderful care home where my mother in law is very happy and well cared for.”

She added that the council’s consultation was flawed because it failed to set out an alternative to closure.

But councillor James Airey, the cabinet member responsible, disagreed.

He said: “There are alternatives, extra-care housing potentially.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved [in the consultation]. There are still four-and-a-half weeks of this exercise left.”

Two other homes – Woodlands at Distington and Richmond Park, Workington – are also earmarked for closure.

The consultation closes on February 15 and a decision is expected in the spring.

First published at 14:11, Friday, 13 January 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk