AD HOC property guardians have moved into the former Popham Court Care Home in Courtland Road, Wellington.

The home – made up of Popham House and The Court – has been empty since it dramatically closed in October last year, with the loss of nearly 100 jobs. All 53 residents had to be re-housed.

The home was run by Somerset Care which rented it from cash-strapped Somerset County Council.

Since then the two buildings on a two-and-a-half acre site have been up for sale – but so far no buyer has come forward.

Now, mainly to protect it from vandals and squatters, the council has brought in Ad Hoc, a company used to occupy commercial properties.

It is believed it advertises spare rooms in buildings – the former home has about 60 bedrooms – and rents them cheaply to mainly single people who are effectively providing security.

n The closure of the home late last year was a shock to staff, residents and relatives.

They were at first invited to a meeting to hear the result of the ‘outcome of a review’ of the services Somerset Care had carried out.

The invite to the meeting made no mention of the home closing. In fact, there was optimism because the letter stated: “We would like to invite you to attend an important meeting at 11am on Wednesday, September 11, at The Court to discuss plans for the home.”

But later that day staff, residents and relatives were told that substantial investment was needed to meet residents’ needs.

After seeking expert advice and looking carefully at the market and cost of development, it was unable to make a viable business case to rebuild Popham Court.

Somerset County Council told the WWN on Monday: “All we can say at this stage is that the home is for sale.”

WWN writer Barry Knott counted 12 vehicles in the home’s car park at 7pm on Monday.

This would indicate that a number of ‘guardians’ are living in the home although one person he spoke to called herself ‘a guest’.