By John Baron
Council chiefs have agreed to spend £150,000 demolishing the former Richmond House Care Home in Farsley.
The council closed Richmond House, off Richmond Road, in 2021 in a bid to save money and are looking to build some form of local authority housing in its place.
Contractors have started to fence off the site this week ahead of demolition, which is imminent.
A council report published yesterday said: “The demolition of the building will mitigate the ongoing operational costs of holding the property, including security and maintenance costs, whilst also reducing the risk of anti-social behaviour which disused buildings can often attract.
“While it is acknowledged that re-use of the building would be preferable to demolition … there are no alternative uses identified. However, the demolition will be undertaken in a way which maximises the amount of material which is recycled for new uses.”
The area has been earmarked for council housing in the future, although no decision has been taken on what type of housing and which age range it will be aimed at.
Richmond House was a 20-bed residential service in Richmond Road, Farsley. It offered short-term care and support to people who require convalescence following a hospital admission. Council officers in 2021 said average occupancy since 2018/19 was 55 per cent and its gross annual budget was £742,000.
Demolition plans were first approved by council planners last October.
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Richmond House closure here.
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