BRAMBLES care home is set to reopen next year – but will no longer offer multiple sclerosis care.
The home in Suffolk Close, Horley, was a specialist centre for MS care until it closed in May with the loss of 50 jobs.
At the time, owners St Cloud Care wanted to build a new multi-purpose 65-bed care home on the site, saying a "considerable drop" in demand for MS care had made the Brambles model untenable.
But in July the plans were rejected by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council because the proposed development was too large and would infringe on neighbouring properties.
Though the company has appealed against the decision, director Philip Connell says it now wants to reopen a home in the existing building.
He told the Mirror: "We would like to reopen Brambles with a smaller scheme in the new year after a refurbishment.
"We believe there is a strong demand for residential dementia care in this area."
The refurbishment, which includes replacing the former hydrotherapy suite with more rooms, will not require planning permission.
Although the appeal against the rejection of the original 65-bed home plan is ongoing, Mr Connell says that development would be a long-term interest for the future, rather than an imminent building project.
He added: "Our architect says the scheme is not unreasonable.
"It would enlarge the bedrooms and the facilities and remodel the gardens to help create a residential care home.
"But we want to reserve our position on that for the future."
Brambles was formerly run by the MS Society, which pulled funding from the centre in June 2010 in order to spend money on tailored care rather than care homes.
The centre was closed for around three months before St Cloud Care reopened Brambles in February 2012, through subsidiary company MS Respite and Care Services Limited.
Mr Connell said those requiring MS care will be welcome at the company's homes in Ewell and Worcestershire.
He did not say whether former staff will be re-employed.
