A FORMER home for the elderly in Newport will be demolished to make way for a new block of forty flats.

Lambourne House in Bettws will be replaced with the new block of flats with 'care on call' for elderly residents.

The home was closed in March 1998 when it failed to meet new standards, and has been empty since.

The council have paid £250,000 over the five-year period to secure the site - including using a 24-hour watchman - a cost which was criticised by one councillor as 'ludicrous'.

Councillor Lloyd Delahaye, overview and scrutiny chairman for adult and housing services, said the expense was necessary to protect the building from vandals.

He said: "The council didn't have the finance to refurbish it when it was closed.

"It was decided to keep it as intact as possible, hence the security measures.

"There have always been plans to redevelop it. Now we are going in for a prestige building on the site."

Councillor Matthew Evans said: "It's ludicrous that we've been spending so much for a building which is now going to be demolished.

"I could understand a short-term measure, but why has it needed this cover for so many years? There must have been alternatives."

The new home will allow residents to live in their own flats and be given care according to individual needs.

The flats will have an on-site hairdressers, shop, communal lounge and dining room. Building could start in March.

Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association will buy the land from the council, but the council will provide staff for the 24-hour care to the residents, who will mostly be elderly people.

Philip Champness, chief executive of the association, said: "These flats are based on the successful extra care scheme at Wellwood House in Ringland. It's a nice and more cost effective alternative to a residential home.

"The new building will be an important part of the Bettws community."