Hundreds of people have signed a petition to save a care home threatened with closure.

Cheshire East Council’s Dementia Commissioning Plan proposes to transfer all respite care to the independent sector – meaning it will be provided privately and through voluntary services.

As a result there are fears that Hollins View care home – the only council-run facility in Macclesfield to offer respite for dementia patients – could close.

The proposals prompted anger and consternation from the community, while the charity Age UK Cheshire East warned dementia services in the town are nearing crisis.

A petition calling on leaders to keep the care home open was launched by Macclesfield Labour councillors earlier this month and has so far resulted in 400 signatures.

Coun Laura Jeuda, Labour group spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing, wants the public to have their say before the council’s six-week public consultation on the proposals ends on October 8.

She said: “There is already a shortage of care beds in Macclesfield and the potential closure of Hollins View could result in people having to travel out of the area, or for some people, no help at all.

“Carers save Cheshire East thousands of pounds a year caring for their loved ones 24 hours a day seven days a week and sometimes need a break to enable them to carry on caring.

“If Hollins View closes they could be left unsupported. This service is vital to carers and to their loved ones.

“By signing this petition you will send a message to leaders of Cheshire East Council and MP David Rutley that Hollins View is vital and necessary and must not close.”

Petitioners will be in the town centre this Saturday from 1pm.

Coun Janet Clowes, portfolio holder for adult services and social care said: “While it would be quite wrong to pre-empt the results of the consultation and service review, it should be noted that there will always be a need for residential respite care in some form.

“There is however also a need to offer other forms of respite care to give the choice that is demanded now and into the future.

“It must be remembered that more than 70 per cent of all respite care is already provided by the private sector in Cheshire East, while a significant proportion is also provided by the voluntary and faith sectors, often part-funded by the council.”

Visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-hollins-view-open