THE former Popham Court care home in Courtland Road, Wellington, is on the point of being sold.

The home, which consisted of Popham House and The Court, has been on the market for about a year.

It closed as a home in October of last year with the loss of 98 full- and part-time jobs.

At the time it was a shock to staff and the 53 residents who were later placed in homes in the county run by Somerset Care, which rented the buildings from cash-strapped Somerset County Council.

Staff were offered, where possible, alternative employment at other Somerset Care Services, which has about 25 other such homes in

Somerset.

An outcry followed after Somerset Care announced the closure, inviting staff, residents and families to ‘an important meeting’ with no indication of its seriousness.

The former home, on a near three-acre site, is being marketed by Greenslade Taylor Hunt, of Taunton, and is ‘under offer.’ It was put up for sale at £750,000.

The two buildings have been occupied for much of the year by ‘guardians’ who pay rent and keep an eye on the premises.

Graham Ford, of Greenslade’s, said: “We commenced marketing early 2019 and experienced a good level of interest in the property, and terms were agreed with a residential developer in the late summer, early autumn.

“The property is under offer and various development proposals are being progressed at the current time. I cannot confirm the price – this remains commercial information until legal completion.

“The guardians will continue to occupy the property for the foreseeable future. It is hoped that the property will be re-developed in a sympathetic manner with a number of new residential properties and most likely conversion of the listed Court House.