A CARE provider, whose involvement in takeover plans raised concern over the future of Sidford s Green Close rehabilitation centre, has withdrawn from negotiations.

A CARE provider, whose involvement in takeover plans raised concern over the future of Sidford's Green Close rehabilitation centre, has withdrawn from negotiations.

Private company Shaw Healthcare was initially in line to take over all 24 of Devon's residential care homes before radical alterations to proposals saw Devon County Council (DCC) opt to invite bids from other providers.

Limited negotiations with Shaw were due to continue, however the company withdrew altogether last week, citing commitments to "other priorities" for the decision.

Sidmouth councillors Christine Drew and Stuart Hughes told the Herald last month they feared for Green Close's future if it were to be taken over by Shaw.

Cllr Drew, East Devon District Council's representative on DCC's Health and Adults Services Overview/ Scrutiny Committee, said in January: "From what we have heard, if Shaw takes over certain centres they would turn them into self- contained units as opposed to residential. We don't yet know what ones it would take over. Green Close does a brilliant job for the community and I want it to stay as it is. I am worried we are going to lose it."

DCC said it is now committed to a further period of community engagement before inviting other potential partners to come forward with development proposals as it bids to "modernise" its care services.

Councillor Hugo Barton, executive member for adult and community services, said: "As we have always stressed, completing a contract with Shaw Healthcare was not a done deal and that no decisions about any service developments at our homes have been taken and this remains the case.

"We still face a growing pressure in delivering adult care services and as agreed by the all-party Executive in 2004, we must find the right way of addressing this pressure.