A 'LUXURY' care home for the elderly could close next year.

Since 1994, The Abbeyfield Society has operated the care home at grade-II listed Oak Hill Park Mansion, dating back to the 19th century. In 1889 the estate belonged to Reginald Gervis Hargreaves, who was married to Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Charity bosses wrote to Hyndburn Council leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, last month to inform him that the charity was beginning consultations on the closure of the home.

Chief executive David McCullough said a review was carried out into the quality, safety and long-term financial viability of the home.

And it was found there were 22 services, Oak Hill Mansion included, which either no longer meet the needs of people living there, are unlikely to fulfil future regulatory obligations, or will be unable to meet the high standards people expect.

Consultation on the closure of the facility will run through to the end of November.

The proposal is set to be discussed by Hyndburn Council’s communities and wellbeing scrutiny committee next week.

Regional director Julie Robinson said: “As we said in our previous letter to you, if the final decision is to close, no resident or staff member will be asked to leave until January 2020 at the earliest.

“Should that be the outcome, we will work with the council and residents to make sure everyone finds a suitable new home that meets their needs.

“Throughout the consultation and discussions, senior colleagues are maintaining regular contact with the residents and staff living and working at Oak Hill.

“This includes fortnightly communications to residents and their loved ones, regular visits to the home to speak to residents and staff, and a dedicated helpline that means everyone can have their questions answered as quickly as possible.”

The mansion at Oak Hill was built by Thomas Hargreaves, owner of the Broad Oak Print Works, shortly after he purchased the land in 1815.

In 1891 the building was bought by Hyndburn Council and used as a museum until 1947.

However the building was then left to fall into a state of disrepair for a number of years, and was famously up for sale for just £1 providing the new owner would help return it to its former glory.

The ‘luxury’ care home opened in April 1994 following an £800,000 transformation.