A Cumbria care home hit by flooding may shut down

Cumbria County Council is predicting a fall in the demand for residential care

A care home which was evacuated during floods in Cumbria may be closed permanently.

The 22 residents were taken from Ravensfield in Keswick last November as floods brought chaos to the county.

But the home is situated in an area classed as a "significant" flood risk and does not have a safe area upstairs to accommodate residents.

The county council is now asking residents and their families whether it should shut the home for good.

Officials said that of the residents who were living at Ravensfield in November, a number have already opted to remain in the homes they were moved to.

They have also predicted that demand for residential care in the county will fall as more people seek to live independently in their own homes.

Councillor James Airey, cabinet member responsible for adult social care, said: "There are good reasons behind the recommendation to close Ravensfield and this consultation lays out those reasons and asks for people's thoughts.

"We have a care home here that is currently empty, is situated on a flood plain without any option to evacuate upstairs, does not meet the standards that people expect these days in terms of room sizes and bathroom provision, and there is alternative care provision locally."