by political editor Paul Francis

Social services chiefs have faced fresh pleas to re-think controversial plans to close or sell off 13 residential care homes in the county.

County councillors were urged to reprieve some of the homes that Kent County Council is proposing to shut as part of a major re-organisation of the way elderly care is provided.

Campaigners said the council should reconsider its plans amid fears the closure of some will lead to a shortage of places and put pressure on hospitals.

There are also concerns over the welfare of 100 residents who face moving elsewhere.

One county councillor warned the plans risked the destruction of communities and urged KCC to be extremely careful.

Former KCC chairman Cllr John Davies (Tunbridge Wells East) said the council should consider the impact of moving elderly residents: "What we are proposing here is the destruction of four communities."

Representatives of three of the homes affected by the review - The Limes in Dartford; Blackburn Lodge in Sheerness and Bowles Lodge in Hawkhurst - were able to press their case at a full council meeting after submitting petitions signed by more than 9,000 people.

Karen Baldwin, who is spearheading the campaign to save The Limes residential home, said: "We consider it to be extremely short-sighted to cut these services for future generations of older people."

There was a danger that Darent Valley hospital would see bed shortages as there would be fewer places available for respite care, she added.

Kent Unison branch secretary David Lloyd said the Limes provided services not available elsewhere.

"The private and voluntary sector may not be able to respond to emergency referrals," he said.

There was some support among backbench county councillors from areas affected, with several expressing misgivings about the shake-up.

There were criticisms that in closing Blackburn Lodge, Sheppey would have no council-run home available on the island.

But local county councillor Ken Pugh (Con) said the home was not "fit for purpose" and could not be expanded or developed."

Cllr Graham Gibbens (Con) the cabinet member for adult social services, gave an assurance that no home would be closed until alternative facilities were up and running.

"This is not about saving money but how we are going to respond to the changing needs of elderly people now and in the future. The amount of money we are going to save [through re-organisation] is minimal compared to our overall budget of £400m."

KCC will publish its final proposals for the 13 homes in early January.