Plans approved for Derbyshire elderly care

Plans to replace 20 care homes in Derbyshire with apartments for the elderly have been approved by the county council.

The authority is planning to spend £200m building about 1,600 flats, to replace existing homes, over the next seven years.

The council's cabinet gave the go-ahead to proposals which it hopes will "future-proof" care for the elderly.

Further detailed consultations on the plans will begin in April.

The council said the initial consultation will focus on the first nine care homes earmarked for closure and the remainder would be considered in due course.

'Super care homes'

It said no final decision on which homes would shut would be made until discussions had taken place with everyone affected.

Plans to match government funding for better broadband were also approved.

If the council can match funding of £7.39m, cash for improved internet connectivity will be released by the government.

Care homes earmarked for closure or demolition include facilities in Belper, Ripley, Borrowash, Ashbourne and Chesterfield.

The authority said its homes in Castle Gresley, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Bolsover and Eckington would remain open.

As well as building the new flats on 27 sites around the county, the council also plans to build four new "super care homes" in Swadlincote, Staveley, Darley Dale and Heanor.

The new complexes would include facilities such as hairdressers, a gym and extra provision for dementia care.