A Borehamwood residential home controversially closed by the county council five weeks ago is likely to be sold for housing development, it emerged this week.

Hertfordshire County Council has announced that it is looking into applying for planning permission to build new homes on the site of Brook House, in Brook Road.

The decision to close the home was taken by the county council in February because it claimed the residence would not meet new Government standards.

It was estimated refurbishment would cost around £2 million and the county concluded there was not sufficient demand to keep the home in operation.

A spokesperson said: 'It has been decided that the site is surplus to county council requirements, so we are looking to dispose of it.'

She said selling the land for housing was the most probable option, and suggested a planning application would be made in the near future. Brook House closed at the end of June, after 41 residents had been found alternative accommodation, despite a massive campaign to keep it open.

The closure meant that Borehamwood's day centre, based at Brook House, was left without a venue, and it has since had to move to Bushey Heath.

Hertsmere Borough Council, which runs the day centre, is currently looking for a site on which to build a new facility in Borehamwood.

This week the council announced it would like to hear the views of anyone with an interest in day care provision for frail elderly people in Borehamwood.

A series of consultation meetings, hosted by the borough council and Ridgehill Housing Association, will start at the end of this month. Anyone wishing to be involved in the consultation is invited to phone Liz Worboys at the borough council on 020 8207 2277.