The case was brought by Lavinia Worley, one of six residents remaining at the home for elderly people.
She argues the council breached her rights under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees respect for home and family life.
Her judicial review case questions the council's decision to press ahead with the closure despite independent experts warning that Worley's human rights may have been infringed. The experts were appointed by the council and reported last year.
After previous legal cases on the issue, councils are now required to satisfy a series of tests to demonstrate that they consulted residents fully before closure and took into account issues such as the effect of closures on residents' relationship with their families.
Last year, Worley obtained an injunction halting the closure of Stoneleigh until her case is resolved. Last week, High Court judge Mr Justice Henriques ordered the injunction to continue.
Durham wants to close the 17 care homes, all for elderly people, because it cannot afford to modernise them. It wants to use partners such as housing associations to build replacement facilities that meet extra care needs and give more independence to other residents. It has always insisted that it did consult stakeholders and take all relevant issues into account.
A spokesman said last week's ruling was "difficult to understand". He added: "Only six residents are left at Stoneleigh. Mrs Worley could end up on her own with the council having to run the home just for her."
Source
Housing Today
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