Derbyshire County Council has given the go-ahead for the proposed centre at Middlecroft which will be built on the same site as Springwell Community School and replace The Woodlands and Brendon House.

Council chiefs insist that residents, their carers and families have been made fully aware of the double closure for some time and those moving into care homes recently have been warned they face a move.

They say the opening of the super care home with 32 beds will absorb the capacity of the two other homes because of the growing trend to care for more elderly people in their own homes.

But Cllr Paul Mann, Chesterfield Borough Councillor for Hollingwood and Inkersall, questioned the decision to have less bedspace.

"While I welcome new facilities there are going to be less beds," he said.

"So how can it be a 'super home' when they are closing down 50 beds and having 32? Where are the other people going to go?"

Cllr Dave Allen, adult social services chief said: "We have consulted at great length over the new residential and community care centre and have had a very positive response and good feedback.

"We know the majority of older people want to live in their own homes and be as independent as possible for as long as possible."

The new centre will provide specialist residential care for older people but will place an emphasis on rehabilitation, helping people return home after a hospital stay rather than going into residential care, and offering respite care.

It will have 16 long-term beds and 16 short-term beds – compared to 18 beds currently offered in The Woodlands and 32 in Brendon House.

Cllr Allen added: "Because the new services from the centre will help more people to live at home, which is what people tell us they want, we are confident there is adequate provision in the area to meet demands on residential care in the future.

"All the residents living at The Woodlands and Brendon House during the consultation have been assured they can move to the new building when it's finished if they choose to."