A COUNCIL still faces obstacles to its efforts to close an elderly people's care home, despite a judge rejecting a challenge from campaigners.

The High Court dismissed a national pressure group's challenge to Durham County Council's decision to shut Stoneleigh House, in Barnard Castle, as part of a modernisation programme.

Relatives Action Group for the Elderly (Rage) sought a judicial review, acting for the Stoneleigh Relatives Action Group in claiming that residents' human rights were being breached.

Mr Justice Crane rejected the claim, but in a new twist, Teesdale District Council's planning committee will today be recommended to refuse permission for a new-style care home on the Stoneleigh site, on planning grounds.

Stoneleigh is one of 17 homes being closed - some to be replaced by more modern accommodation - as part of attempts to comply with a Government initiative to update care of the elderly.

Durham County Council's social services director, Peter Kemp, said: "We approached every stage of the modernisation programme very carefully with due regard to the rights, welfare and well-being of everyone concerned, including residents, staff and relatives.

"We hope now that we can press ahead with the closure of Stoneleigh and replace it with one of our new-style developments that will offer current and future generations of older people a much better and more flexible type of care that meets modern expectations.''

However, a report to Teesdale council's planning committee says the design of the new home is poor, does not conserve energy, is "un-neighbourly'' and does not make a contribution to Barnard Castle's townscape.

David Deacon, of the Stoneleigh Relatives Action Group, said the initial judicial review decision was disappointing, but a fuller hearing would be sought.

"It is far from over and in an interesting twist it looks as if the scheme could be rejected on planning grounds," he said.