THE FUTURE of two care homes at Ascot Priory is in doubt as consultation on the site is planned for the end of the month.

St Christopher's and St David's nursing and residential care homes at the 'centre for retreat and spiritual renewal' in Priory Road have been providing care for more than 30 years.

St David's cares for 39 residents and St Christopher's looks after 25 residents.

Both care homes provide personal care, diagnostic and screening procedures, treatment of disease, disorder and injury and have been open since 1979.

David Tanner and his family run the homes and rent the buildings from a board of trustees, who are in charge of the estate's finances.

Due to high maintenance costs and the running of the Grade 2-listed buildings, the trustees of Ascot Priory are now looking into whether to sell the land off.

They believe they do not have enough money to carry out proper maintenance on the buildings and even if refurbishment were to take place, the number of visitors wouldn't increase.

David Tanner said: "We have been working close with the trustees about the best way forward, which we believe will confirm the importance that people attach to both the care and prayer elements of this wonderful partnership remaining at the priory.”

He added: "The Charity Commission who ultimately have the statutory power to determine which options the trustees can pursue, are mindful of the need to hear from the people of Ascot and surrounding areas.

"We hope very much that all those who value the services our care provide will make their views known to both the trustees and the Charity Commission."

He confirmed the consultation is set to start on September 30 and will then be reviewed in November.

He added the trustees then plan to present their findings to the Charity Commission in November and will hear if they are allowed to go ahead with the sale.

If they are given permission, they will not be able to proceed until the lease ends in 2021, unless the trustees can renegotiate its terms.

The Charity Commission regulate registered charities in England and Wales.

For more information on the consultation visit www.ascotpriory.org