Senior councillors made the “difficult” decision yesterday to close three care homes despite a last-ditch plea from the relative of a resident who described one of the homes as “awesome”.

Bradford Council’s executive agreed to the closure of Laurence House in Undercliffe, Meadowcroft in Rooley Lane and Thackley Grange in Idle.

It is part of a review of Council-run care provision which would see them replaced with five homes providing short-term care and long-term dementia care.

One man, whose mother lives at Laurence House, told councillors he believed the home still provided the best facilities and finding a suitable alternative was proving difficult despite visiting 20 different homes.

Council leader Ian Greenwood said: “These decisions are always very difficult but we have to make them in the context of continuing to provide residential care on an ongoing basis.

“In these circumstances we have little alternative than to move forward to a situation where we concentrate on what we are good at – and that is specialist care.”

He said some other authorities were moving out of providing care homes altogether but that was not appropriate in Bradford. The Council would act as a beacon for others.

Councillor Amir Hussain, the portfolio holder for adult services, added: “It’s a very difficult decision but one that we have to do and I think its the best interest of the services users long-term.”

The buildings are home to 26 people and they will not close until alternative suitable accommodation has been found for all residents.

Executive members also agreed to: an approach to commissioning services as part of a £1.5 million employment and skills transition fund; developing the building proposals for two special schools; and the next step in plans for a health and well-being centre in Keighley.