Plans to bulldoze a Romsey residential care home have come under fire from union officials.

Unite has opposed Hampshire County Council’s plans to demolish the 39-bed Nightingale Lodge, Great Well Drive and replace it with privately-operated sheltered accommodation which the authority describes as “extra care housing”.

Hampshire Unite branch secretary, Richard Bambridge, said the council’s plans were “deeply flawed” and would result in the loss of 20 of his members’ jobs.

Mr Bambridge agreed the home needed modernisation, but claimed the council had spent little cash on the building in the past and could afford an upgrade.

He said: “An estimate of £2.5 million has been made to fully upgrade Nightingale Lodge to a superb standard with 20 beds. However, HCC has said that 20 beds “is not an economic size to operate’”, yet privately-owned care homes operate with these numbers very successfully.

“Given that HCC has in excess of £400m in reserves, this upgrade amount could be recovered in interest in a matter of weeks.” Nightingale Lodge, built in 1973, is one of four county-run homes earmarked for closure as part of a modernisation programme. The others are Bulmer House, at Petersfield, Deeside, in Basingstoke and Cranleigh Paddock, at Lyndhurst.

Around 120 long-term residents, including 36 at Nightingale Lodge, some with dementia and physically frail, would have to be moved out and a total of 190 staff face losing their jobs in the shake-up.

Hampshire’s adult social care officials claim it would cost more than £10m to modernise the homes, all built between the 1960s and early 1980s.

Problems include small bedrooms with no space for hoists to lift disabled residents.

The council also claims demand for residential care is falling as more people want to remain independent in their own homes.

Under the proposals, the care homes in Romsey, Lyndhurst and Petersfield would be turned into extra care housing schemes of individual flats with support services on site.

The Basingstoke home would be sold off with the proceeds ploughed back into extra care housing.

Mr Bambridge told the Advertiser: “We believe HCC is ‘selling off the family silver’ without any real thought for the skilled and dedicated staff whose jobs and livelihood will be threatened.”

Hampshire cabinet spokewoman for adult social care, Anna McNair-Scott, will decide today (Friday) on the proposals.

If she backs the idea, there will be a 12-week consultation period (starting on July 29) and a final decision made in November.

Ms McNair-Scott said: “I will be looking for assurances that the needs of current residents in these homes will be the council’s top priority throughout any consultation period. This will be a very difficult time for residents of the homes, day care clients, families and staff and I want to be confident that they will be fully supported and helped to take part.”

During the consultation, Nightingale Lodge residents, some of whom are over 100, will be asked if they would like to move into the new extra care accommodation.

The county council’s report says Fleming House in Eastleigh could provide an alternative for those who might prefer a “smaller home environment”.

A day centre would be part of the new development.

Master’s House Day Centre which is based at Nightingale Lodge, could continue to operate during building work. However, if this was not possible an alternative temporary venue would be found, say the council.

Hampshire’s Lib Dem adult social care spokesperson, Alan Dowden, said replacing outdated homes with modern facilities was the best way forward.

“What is proposed is a very modern and cost-effective option rather than trying to bring old buildings up to scratch to meet today’s needs,” he said.

Mr Dowden said he was sympathetic to residents who would have to move.

“I can quite understand how they feel, but in the long run they will benefit. I’ve visited Campbell Place at Fleet and the apartments there are like those in a luxury hotel. It’s really lovely and has everything the elderly need,” said Mr Dowden.