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‘Don’t let care home become an eyesore’

Michelle McKenna
29/12/2005

A COUNCILLOR has called for a former Accrington care home, which failed to sell at auction, to be kept for community use.

Acorn Lodge, Nuttall Street, closed its doors last month, two years after being condemned as part of Lancashire County Council's controversial plan to axe old folk's homes across the county.

The three-storey building was boarded up, after the 10 remaining residents were transferred to Woodlands care home in Clayton-le-Moors.

The property, which has 35 rooms, was put up for sale at an auction at Manchester Airport earlier this month but failed to reach the reserve price.

Barnfield councillor Paul Barton is concerned that the empty building will attract vandals.

He said: "My main concern is that the building has not sold and could become an eyesore.

"People are doing their best to try to bring the area up and now we have this building which is all boarded up and already starting to look a state.

"Hill Top in Baxenden was empty and that was broken into a few times and targeted by vandals."

Councillor Barton believes the building should be kept by the county council for community use and said it would be an ideal location for a day centre.

He said: "There are no facilities in that area and here is a place being sold off. We have the old fire station lying around empty and now this.

"It could be a good facility for people to use. It is near the town centre and it would make a great day centre, something for the elderly. Once it gets sold, what is it going to be? It is such a shame for the area."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "There are no plans for the county council to use the Acorn Lodge site. Our intention is still to sell the site and we are pursuing a number of options to achieve a sale.

"In the meantime the property has been made secure and is being managed to ensure safety."

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