Town hall will save �400,000 a year and could make �2.5million by selling the site

The family of a 94-year-old woman fear a decision to close her council-run care home for people with dementia will kill her.

Great-grandmother Beryl Bevan is being forced out of Knowles House care home in Longstone Avenue, Harlesden, after 10 years following a decision by Brent Council on Monday to close it for good.

The council says the building, which they own, is no longer fit for purpose and wants the vulnerable residents out before Christmas.

The council will save around �400,000 a year by closing the home and could make �2.5 million by selling the site.

Ms Bevan will be moved to alternative accommodation alongside 11 other permanent and six temporary residents.

Mrs Bevan’s son, David, 70, from Wembley, said: “I think this move will kill them.

“To relocate someone like my mother who has lived there for 10 years and who suffers from dementia is too much.

“She is in a wheelchair, so physically moving her will be hard enough. I am just hoping she will be put with people she is familiar with.”

In a further twist, the Bevan family said they only found out about the imminent closure when the Times contacted them with the news.

But Mrs Bevan’s granddaughter, Lorna, 44, said: “The timing is bad. Making them move in November is the coldest time of the year. It really worries me.

“My grandmother is familiar with the other residents and the staff who have been fantastic over the years. She has been well looked after.

“It is very sad because she is so happy where she is.”

The council has said it will try to move residents in groups of three or four so they remain with people they know.

Eleven members of staff will also be made redundant or retire.

Cllr Ruth Moher (Labour), lead member for adult and health care, said: “I’m surprised the families did not know a decision was being made and if they would like to write to me about this they can.

“We will now look at individual needs and where places are available around the borough. It will be planned carefully.

‘‘Residents and their families will be involved in this process.”