A £2m refurbishment is on the cards for a respite centre in North Staffordshire for adults with learning disabilities – but relocation to another site nearby has now been ruled out.

Staffordshire County Council's cabinet previously approved the move of services at Douglas Road, Newcastle, to Wilmott Drive.

But the proposal is now no longer possible because the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates health and social care services, would not register a learning disabilities residential replacement care service operating out of the same premises as a day opportunities service, a report to the latest cabinet meeting said.

It added: "Even if the day opportunities service were moved, they would be unlikely to register a residential replacement care service with more than six beds. This would be a reduction in capacity from the current 13 registered beds and would mean that the council would be unable to meet people's needs."

An alternative option to refurbish and redevelop the facilities at Douglas Road has now been developed instead. It is set to boost infection prevention and control, as well as increasing the number of ground floor bedrooms to allow more people with complex needs to be accommodated.

Cabinet members were given an update on work to improve council services for adults with learning disabilities at their meeting on Wednesday (December 14). Councillor Julia Jessel, Cabinet Member for Health and Care, said: "This is work that has been ongoing for the past few years to modernise services.

"It's been decided to retain and refurbish the premises at Douglas Road in Newcastle, but not to use the Wilmott Drive premises, which are five minutes' walk away. It's also been agreed to retain and refurbish Greenfields House in Leek.

"We need to ensure that we operate within the rules set out by the CQC, which are sometimes a little restrictive. One of the key things to ensure is that infection control, which became a key issue during the Covid outbreak, is addressed."