A CARE home in Almondsbury was in line for an £80,000 face-lift back in March 1987, however councillors were also concerned that there were plans to close it down entirely.

Oaklands old people’s home, as it was referred to at the time, was set to be renovated as soon as residents could be moved into temporary accommodation.

When Almondsbury Parish Council met to discuss the renovations, Cllr Mavis Meachin sought assurances that the historic building was only to close for repairs and not be phased out by Avon County Council’s social services department.

Amid laughter, she declared an interest as one of the senior councillors.

She said: “Old people like me want to know after all I may be going there one day.”

But she also pointed out: “We as ratepayers need to know what is happening to Oaklands.”

The parish clerk, Mervyn Harris, was set to write to Avon County Councillor Warren Fowler to ask for confirmation that the home will be re-opened for its continuing use by the elderly.

Cllr Meachin also called for a protection order to be put on the remaining trees, many rare specimens collected from Japan by the former owner, botanist Mr Hyatt-Baker.

A spokeswoman for the county council at the time told the Gazette that there were no definite plans for closure.

She said: “The residents are being sympathetically rehoused around in the district so that work can commence on rewiring and redecoration.

“It will open in the New Year and there are no plans at present for the closure of Oaklands.”