Westmorland and Furness Council has today launched formal public consultations on the future of two residential care homes.
Residents, families, staff and the wider community are being invited to share their views on options for the future of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston.
No decisions have been taken about the final outcome for either home. The purpose of each 12-week consultation is to gather views, understand impacts, and ensure that any future changes prioritise safety, continuity of care and quality of life for residents.
Cabinet recently considered detailed reports outlining significant challenges facing both homes, including buildings that no longer meet modern care and regulatory standards, declining occupancy, workforce pressures and high operating costs. Cabinet also considered the council's vision for Adult Social Care, which promotes people living in places they call home, with strong community connections, independence and support closer to home.
Applethwaite Green is a 27‑bed residential home with 16 permanent residents. Cabinet agreed to consult on all options for the home's future, including doing nothing, refurbishment, rebuild, or closure, reflecting the challenges facing the building and the availability of alternative care provision locally. There are 12 alternative residential care homes rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission within 16 miles.
The council's consultation document for Applethwaite Green states that it could cost from £2.5 million to £3.0 million to refurbish the care home to modern standards with en-suite rooms.
Running costs of more than £2,000 per week per resident are also double the cost to the council of a care home place at an independent provider or of a council-run home which is fully occupied.
Grisedale Croft provides residential care across 13 bedrooms and currently has four permanent residents, following several years of declining occupancy. The building is more than 50 years old and has exceeded its original operational life. In Alston and the surrounding area there is limited alternative provision, so Cabinet agreed to consult on all options, but with a preferred option to provide alternative accommodation in a suitable building in the local area, if one can be acquired.
The council's consultation document for Grisedale Croft also states that it could cost from £2.5 million to £3.0 million to refurbish or rebuild Grisedale Croft to modern standards with en-suite rooms. Running costs of more than £4,000 per week per resident are also four times the cost to the council of a care home place at an independent provider or of a council-run home which has full occupancy.
The council says that the cost of remodelling or rebuilding either home could be even higher than £2.5-3.0 million – due to geopolitical uncertainty, rising building costs, and complexities of the care home sites.
Throughout the 12-week consultation period, which ends on Wednesday 5 August, care home residents and families will receive individual support, and staff will be kept fully informed, with trade unions engaged as part of the process. Information will also be available in formats to meet different communication needs.
There are two consultation documents and surveys available - one for Applethwaite Green and one for Grisedale Croft. Anyone wishing to take part can complete a printed or online survey, or attend a face-to-face drop-in session to discuss the options and find out more about how to get involved.
Paper copies of the Applethwaite Green consultation document and survey will be available at Windermere, Ambleside and Kendal libraries. Paper copies of the Grisedale Croft consultation document and survey will be available at Alston Library and other community venues.
Drop‑in events, hosted by officers from the council's Adult Social Care team, will be held in the following locations:
For Applethwaite Green:
Monday 1 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Windermere Library;
Monday 29 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Windermere Library;
Wednesday 1 July, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Ambleside Library;
Thursday 16 July, from 2pm - 4pm, at Windermere Library;
For Grisedale Croft:
Wednesday 3 June, from 11am – 1pm, at Alston Library;
Monday 15 June, from 5pm - 7pm, at Alston Library;
Friday 26 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Hive, Nenthead;
Friday 26 June, from 2pm - 4pm, at Garrigill Village Hall;
Wednesday 1 July, from 2pm - 4pm, at Alston Library;
Monday 20 July, from 11am – 1pm, at Alston Library
Before completing either of the consultation surveys, residents are strongly encouraged to read the consultation documents to ensure they can provide feedback on each proposal.
To view the information about options for the future of Applethwaite Green and take part in the online survey, please visit consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/adult-social-care/applethwaite-green
To view the information about options for the future of Grisedale Croft and take part in the online survey, please visit consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/adult-social-care/grisedale-croft
Nikkie Phipps, Assistant Director for Care Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "We want to hear directly from residents, loved ones, staff and our wider communities so that any decisions we make are shaped by real experiences and focused on people's wellbeing, dignity and safety.
"We understand that beginning a consultation on the future of these services may understandably cause concern for residents, their families and our staff and we are committed to managing this process with sensitivity, transparency and respect.
"I strongly encourage everyone with an interest to take part and share their views."
Following the consultation period, all feedback will be carefully analysed and the Director of Adult Care will make final decisions later in 2026.
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