Fresh plans to demolish a residential home in Farsley have been submitted by Leeds City Council – a month after the original proposals were withdrawn.
The council closed the former Richmond House care home last year in a bid to save money and are looking to build some form of local authority housing in its place.
However, plans to demolish the existing buildings were last month withdrawn following a delay with a bat survey going ahead as originally planned.
In the fresh application, applicant Leeds City Council states: “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.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that re-use of the building would be preferable to demolition, following an options appraisal process there are no alternative uses identified.”
The council adds that contractors plan to manually soft strip the inside of the building, which dates back to 1971. The demolition of the main building would be carried out in a controlled manner.
The latest demolition plans can be viewed in full here.
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 last year said average occupancy since 2018/19 was 55 per cent and its gross budget was £742,000..
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Richmond House closure here.
West Leeds Dispatch‘s Cutswatch series has been following council cuts here.
