Campaigners have lost their fight to prevent Kirklees Council selling off its last two dementia care homes.

Families with loved ones at Castle Grange in Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike have fought an emotional campaign to block the ‘privatisation’ since 2023.

The Save Our Kirklees Dementia Care Homes group took their fight to the High Court last year claiming Kirklees Council hadn’t followed the proper procedures.

The High Court rejected their claim and the families went to appeal but now the Court of Appeal has also found in favour of the council.

Campaigners say that’s the end of the line and they feel let down by the council.

Families say the council promised they would hand over the homes to a high quality operator yet the council’s chosen bidder – Mulberry Care Home Group – saw one of its homes hit with a ‘requires improvement’ rating by the CQC in October 2025.

At a council Cabinet meeting in February, campaigner Sara Blagbrough (pictured) demanded councillors explain how they could justify going ahead with the sale to Mulberry in light of what she described as a “damning” CQC inspection report.

Ashen-faced councillors could give no explanation, instead hiding behind the on-going legal process.

After the latest court decision, another of the campaigners, Donna Mallinson, said families were devastated and remained angry but it was the “end of the line.”

Writing on social media, she said: “The question to Kirklees still remains. How would you feel if you were us?

“Would you be happy to allow your loved one to live under the care of a company who runs a home that is rated as requiring improvement?

“I do not know how the people at Kirklees involved in this rest with their consciences.

“They are disingenuous, insincere, cold-hearted and apathetic, short sighted, dismissive, blinkered. They have ‘sold’ the most vulnerable people they are responsible for, for profit and absolutely did not have to, which is unforgivable.”

In a statement Michelle Cross, executive director for adults and health at Kirklees Council, said: “The council acknowledges the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the court’s conclusion that the decision to transfer the homes was made lawfully by Cabinet.

“We welcome the clarity provided by the Court of Appeal but we do so with respect for the concerns that families have raised during the process.

“The ongoing quality of care for residents of the homes remains our priority.”