A RESIDENTIAL care home housing 27 people is to close following a decision taken by Test Valley Borough Council to refuse permission for the home to expand.

Little Dean Nursing Home in Stockbridge, part of Brookvale Homes Ltd, is the village's biggest employer and claimed that in the face of increasing regulations expanding the number of residents would help to alleviate the growing bed-blocking crisis in hospitals.

The home is to shut at the end of July and Stockbridge parish chairman David Baseley says the community is angry and disappointed with the borough council because of the decision to refuse permission.

"The applicants amended their original plan and we were happy with it but then we heard that it had been refused by a council officer and had not even gone to the committee," said Mr Baseley.

"Now people are going to have to find new homes for their loved ones, people will lose their jobs and many of the shops in the village will lose trade.

"I know some councillors are appalled at the decision."

Some people who have purchased or leased property near the home to be with a loved one will also have to find a new home.

One 80-year-old man who moved into a property on the site to keep in daily contact with his wife, a resident who has Alzheimer's, now faced a move to Fareham.

MP Sandra Gidley, said: "This is a huge blow to the residents of the home, their families, local businesses and the wider community.

"I hope the situation is retrievable and I will be doing everything within my power to help."

She blamed the problem on the 'ill-thought out' Care Standards Act and suggested planners 'should come down from their ivory towers' and plan for the benefit of the people.

A spokeswoman for Test Valley Borough Council, said it was the second application that had been made and following the first the applicants were advised of the level of information by way of justification that would be required.

"It was not felt that the level of justification had been provided to go against planning guidance," she said.

Planning officials have 'delegated powers' from the council to take these decision in these circumstances.

Grahame Short, the solicitor acting for Brookvale, confirmed that the closure date is 31 July and that all staff and residents had been informed.