PENSIONERS facing eviction from their homes are claiming they’re being used as ‘political pawns’ by local councillors.

The OAPs living in the Cliff Street bungalows, in Hamer, were told in January that they could be forced out of their homes to make way for a road to the Belfield Business Neighbourhood, an enterprise zone which will house small businesses.

This week, they were stunned when they were visited by two councillors, each promising to grant the pensioners a reprieve.

However, their joy was short-lived when the council confirmed that no decisions had been made, but the controversial proposals were still expected to go ahead.

Roger Bottomley, whose 93-year-old dad, Tom, lives in one of the bungalows, was furious that the elderly residents were visited by Councillor Zulfiqar Ali and Councillor Ibrar Khan and accused political parties of using the pensioners to win votes.

He said: "The first councillor visited on Monday night and said the council didn’t even have permission to demolish the bungalows.

"The pensioners nearly held a champagne party to celebrate the news. They were as chuffed as anything and thought that they’d be able to stay in their bungalows.

"Then my father phoned me again saying another councillor had visited to say it’s a load of nonsense and they would not be granted a reprieve.

"It seems that the councillors are using dirty tricks and it’s no coincidence that they’re visiting during an election period.

"The pensioners are being used to try to win votes and it’s so disappointing."

Councillor Ibrar Khan rejected the claims, saying he was not up for election in May. He suggested that the pensioners could be rehomed locally after it was revealed that an area on the East Central Rochdale masterplan is reserved for housing.

He said: "We arranged a meeting with Rochdale Development Agency to discuss a positive way forward.

"This consultation started three years ago and since then it’s been on-going. We should be helping these residents and not trying to make it a political issue."

However, the council said that it’s still too early to say whether Cllr Khan’s suggestion would be considered.

Peter Maynard, the area renewal manager, said: "We haven’t considered in any detail what sort of housing should go in the areas marked in the masterplan.

"It is still at an early stage and the next phase will be to carry out demand studies and planning exercises.

"The requirements of the Cliff Street residents will certainly be taken into consideration and given that they are being displaced due to the regeneration plans, their views will be given due priority."

Mr Bottomley added: "The masterplan idea is interesting, but I don’t believe anything that we’re being told at the moment. The sad thing is that the pensioners are now wondering if they will die at the bungalows or die somewhere else. It’s heartbreaking."

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, the cabinet member for housing, insisted that he was fighting to secure the future of the pensioners.

He said: "I believe that there should have been further discussion about this development with local residents and that their views should have been considered.

"I strongly urge that the bungalows should not be demolished in the first place and that Rochdale Development Agency find another link to the business park."