A former care home in Rickmansworth can be sold off, councillors have decided.

Owned by the county council, Meresworth Care Home – which offered 51 en-suite rooms, communal gardens and off-road parking – was previously operated by Quantum Care Limited.

But following its closure in February the building in Dellwood was handed back to the county council.

On Monday (December 2), a meeting of the council’s cabinet heard that the council had no current or expected need for the vacant property and agreed it was “surplus” and could be sold.

At the meeting it was reported to councillors that the care home – built in 1999 – had been designed to “more limited spatial standards” than modern day care homes.

Since its closure, it was reported that Quantum Care has opened the new Riverside Lodge care home in Rickmansworth as a replacement.

But nevertheless, it was suggested to councillors that there could be market interest to acquire the property as a care home – generating an income in excess of £2.85 million.

The report alternatively suggests there may also be interest from developers seeking to acquire the property for a residential redevelopment scheme.

Presenting the report, executive member for resources and performance Cllr Bob Deering said the plan to dispose of the building had been backed by an earlier meeting of the council’s resources and performance cabinet panel.

But he acknowledged that members of the panel had questioned whether the building could be used to accommodate looked after children.

In response, executive member for children, young people and families Cllr Fiona Thomson said neither the council nor Ofsted wished to see large 51-bed children’s homes.

However she said the council was looking at properties that were potentially surplus to examine all options.

She added: “The team did look to see feasibility but actually it was determined that it would not be appropriate for our needs.”

Backing the move, leader of the county council Cllr Richard Roberts said: “We are, of course, modernising our estate, particularly with nursing homes.

“So this is probably very appropriate to move this onto the open market for disposal.”

At the same meeting, the cabinet also agreed that the former Elmhurst Care Home, in Bishop’s Stortford, should also be declared surplus to the council’s requirements and could be sold.