A FORMER Kirklees Council care home has been sold at auction and could be demolished.

Eastlawns Care Home on Thomas Street, Lindley, was sold to a private buyer last month.

The identity of the buyer remains confidential.

Kirklees Council had proposed to build a £1.5m housing scheme which would have been managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing on the site, but the idea was shelved in March last year.

Residents had objected to the proposal raising concerns about parking shortages, congestion, pressure on local amenities, noise, oversubscribed schools and drainage.

Nevertheless, outline planning permission for a similar 12 home development was agreed last July and the new owner is expected to do some kind of project with the building.

A Kirklees Council spokesman, said: “Although the land has outline planning permission for houses, the new owners would still need to lodge a further, more detailed application if they wished to pursue this option.

“The new owners could also develop an alternative scheme and submit a new planning application.”