Three care homes for the elderly could be closed in sweeping changes proposed for services for older people in Bradford.

The homes earmarked for closure are Greenacres in Clayton (pictured), Broadstones at Holme Wood and either Meadowcroft at Bowling or Woodward Court at Allerton. The move would affect around 100 residents who are permanent residents in the homes.

The proposals are set to go before Bradford Council's executive committee next week when they will be asked to approve a major consultation with residents, families and staff before any changes take place.

Bradford Council's social services director, Alison O'Sullivan, said: "This is not a cuts exercise. It is about reinvesting the money into services to support people in the community, enabling them to keep their independence for longer and to prevent the need for a move into a care home.

"But it is worrying for people. It is only to be expected that people will be concerned about the future.

"We will be consulting and giving regular updates to both residents and our staff."

Under the proposals the remaining nine of the 12 local authority homes would offer specialist care for rehabilitation, dementia care and care for older people with mental health problems.

There will be new extra care housing schemes for the elderly to enable them to live independently in housing units, which, the Council says, will be fitted out to meet their needs.

There will also be an extra 500 day-care places in partnership with the voluntary and independent sectors.

The move has already been criticised by local councillors, one of whom condemned it as a "cost-cutting exercise."

But Mrs O'Sullivan, said: "This very much reflects what older people themselves are telling us they want. The next generation want care in extra care housing schemes or in their own homes, giving them greater privacy, dignity and independence."

Peter Kay, acting head of services for older people, said the homes for closure had been chosen because of their location.

"We have looked at the dementia, rehabilitation and long term care needs in each of the primary care trust areas.

"In Bradford South and West there are five care homes which is why Broadstones and Greenacres are on the list. It is in no way a reflection on the quality of services in these particular homes, it is about geography."

Councillor Kris Hopkins, executive member for the community, said: "Older people are living longer and the services they need are changing. People tend to be older when they need full time care, but they may need support so they can stay in their own home where they are happy.

"Consequently, we need to offer more services to more people and increase our provision so we can help more people throughout the district.

"These plans will help us to improve our services for older people in the community. We will continue to work closely with the district's primary care trusts to make sure that older people get the help that they need from both health and social services."

The proposals have already been criticised by local councillors. Councillor John Rudding (Lab, Tong), whose ward includes Broadstones, said: "This is clearly a cost cutting exercise. Care in the community really means no care in the community.

"We value this facility greatly. Where is the demand from the community to close it? Broadstones is always full, there is clearly no lack of demand or need.

"There is also a day centre there which I assume will also go and that will be greatly missed as well. The centre is not only a place where the elderly can meet and socialise but they are also given a proper meal. This will affect a vulnerable group of people."

Councillor Tony Cairns, (Lab, Tong), also said he was deeply disappointed with the proposals.

The consultation will take place during the summer and early autumn and the results will go before the Council's housing and social care scrutiny committee an the executive from September. A decision is expected by the end of the year.