Staff at River View in Townstal, once the potential site for a new health and wellbeing centre, were told on Tuesday. Later on the same day, residents and their families were informed.

As a nursing home, River View was criticised by Care Quality Commission inspectors. It lost its intermediate care beds, sometimes termed hospital beds, and now, is closing completely.

When inspectors last visited the home before publishing their recent critical report, there were 37 residents. On the publishing their report, there were 30 residents. On the announcement of its planned closure, there are 22 residents.

A spokesman for Devon County Council and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said that the operators of River View care home in Dartmouth, High Trees, have informed them that they plan to close the care home.

A spokesman for the council and the NHS trust said:”This follows a decision by the building owners that they are unable to continue to financially support its operating costs. As a result it is no longer commercially viable for High Trees.

“We will be working very closely with High Trees staff in the coming weeks to find suitable alternative accommodation for the 22 residents currently at River View. We will support the residents and their families and carers in the run up to the home closing, and throughout their move to a new placement, so that the transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.”

County councillor Andrew Leadbetter said: “While our priority right now is to the residents and their families, we’re also working with our partners in order that the health and social care needs of the local community can continue to be met.”

Interim chief executive at the NHS trust, Liz Davenport, added: “We realise that this news will be a blow for the people of Dartmouth. As well as supporting the current residents of River View and their families, we are reviewing how community services can further support the people of Dartmouth.

“We are also working with the new Dartmouth Health and Care Board (the renamed River View Implementation Group) to develop plans for health and wellbeing services in Dartmouth. We will ensure we take account of the impact of this decision on the town as we develop these plans.”