New plans to shut seven care homes, including three in Carlisle and four in Copeland, have been unveiled.

They will be replaced with a single new-build home in each district.

Those affected in Carlisle are Elizabeth Welsh House in Harraby, Langrigg House in Morton and Petteril House, Old Harraby, which can currently care for a total of 117 across the three sites.

The four homes affected in Copeland are Brackenthwaite and Pow Beck in Whitehaven, Castle Mount in Egremont and Dentholme at Cleator Moor. In August these had about 70 to 80 per cent occupancy.

Instead £6 million will be spent on a new 60-bed home in the city, specialising in caring for those with dementia and complex needs.

Another £6m has been set aside to build a new home in Whitehaven. Again a site has yet to be confirmed.

Cumbria County Council is behind the plans, which are separate to the Success Regime's proposals to close community hospital beds.

The council says the move will dramatically improve the quality of care available for those with conditions like dementia, while those with less complex needs will be cared for in their own homes.

The authority, which is set to launch a formal consultation on Wednesday, stresses that no staff will lose their jobs.

Instead they will transfer to the new premises, alongside existing residents. It adds that although the overall number of places will drop, none of the affected homes have high occupancy rates.

Figures for August show that Elizabeth Welsh and Petteril House had just under 50 per cent occupancy, while Langrigg had 72 per cent.

Beth Furneaux, cabinet member for health and social care, stressed that this is not about cost cutting, as they are investing in improving facilities, but about modernising care for the future.

She told the News & Star that the homes affected are all older buildings that do not meet modern standards.

But the new buildings will be state of the art, with en suite bathrooms and specially adapted rooms, supported by communal areas, on site restaurant and outdoor space.

The move follows a similar initiative in Barrow, where the town's new Park View Gardens home is ready to open.

Ms Furneaux said the council set aside £12m in its budget to build the new homes and meet the needs of those with illnesses such as dementia, complex physical needs, or both.

She said in future the aim is to care for those with less complex needs in their own homes, using modern technology and so-called reablement services to help people stay independent for longer.

The council is also looking to provide more extra care housing schemes, where residents have their own flats but with care provided on site, which can be gradually stepped up as their needs change.

As a result there won't be the same demand for residential care, explained Ms Furneaux. "We are committed to providing the best possible services we can to an aging population, focusing particularly on those with the most acute, complex needs," she said.

"People tell us they want to stay at home if at all possible and we are investing in lots of services and technology to help them, but there will always be a need for some residential care."

She went on to reassure residents in the affected homes, and their families, that the changes would be positive.

"I think nowadays people want the best facilities, and we've taken a very bold decision to spend money on building two new state of the art care homes in these areas," she said.

Ms Furneaux added that they have identified a potential site in Carlisle, but couldn't say where just yet for commercial reasons. However she stressed it will be in the urban area.

Long term she said they would aim to do something similar in other districts, but more funding would be needed.

In the meantime they are investing £840,000 to modernise Richmond Park care home in Workington.

Before any changes are finalised, the county council will first consult fully with residents, families and staff.

She said the People First advocacy service will be supporting residents and familes, and they have also had talks with trade unions.

The consultation opens on Wednesday and runs until December 23. Details will be online at www.cumbria.gov.uk . If approved, the changes are likely to take place in 2018.