Hadleigh care home could be temporary accommodation in deal

Castle Point Council has submitted an offer and agreed a £1.1million deal to purchase the former Abbeyfield House care home, in Chapel Lane, and will carrying out a £500,000 project to renovate the property.

If approved and after the deal passes due diligence, the former care home will be used to support families and vulnerable residents who could be facing homelessness.

According to the cabinet documents, the most likely groups impacted will be women who are pregnant or have children and those suffering from a physical or mental disability who do not have a steady income.

Former care home, Abbeyfields, in Hadleigh (Image: Amos Hadleigh)

The council is hoping to complete the purchase in autumn this year and begin providing accommodation in spring 2025.

Rob Lillis, councillor responsible for health, wellbeing and housing, said: “This acquisition will allow the council to increase its housing provision within the borough to support vulnerable residents, ensuring they can stay in or close to their communities and support networks, or in the case of families, educational settings.

“Furthermore, it will improve access to housing for those unable to find affordable short-term accommodation or to sustain an existing tenancy for whatever reason.

“As outlined in the Cabinet Report, a purchase price of £1.1million has been agreed, but this is subject to members’ approval and due diligence being completed.”

Last month, Abbeyfield House was put on the market with an initial asking price of £1.2million.

Tom Gibson, councillor responsible for special projects and assets, insisted the purchase was a “sound investment” and would prevent a private buyer purchasing the home.

He added: “The proposed purchase and redevelopment of Abbeyfields represents a sound investment for our council, and will reduce our costs while improving the quality of the service offered by the council to its residents. An investment opportunity like this will otherwise be snapped up by the private market or another public sector purchaser and would be unlikely to deliver the same benefits to our residents and community.”

Castle Point Council will discuss the plans at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday next week.