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Bulldozer threat to sheltered flats
by Katie Storey9/ 9/2008
A GROUP OF Littleborough pensioners living in sheltered accommodation are facing the threat of losing their homes.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the organisation that runs the council’s housing stock, is considering shutting down Hare Hill Court, which houses 28 bedsit-style flats occupied by people ranging in age from 60 to 90.
The accommodation came under review last month and one of the options was modernisation.
But the council’s strategic housing department has decided that the best solution would be to close the Hare Hill Court completely.
A report says the Court no longer meets current government standards. Significant investment would be needed to bring the flats up to scratch and renovation costs would be in excess of £1.5M. As a result, officers recommended it would be more cost-effective to close the accommodation.
Sheltered housing operations manager Peter Smith said: "Unfortunately, the building no longer provides quality accommodation for tenants and doesn’t meet modern standards. It doesn’t, for example, meet current disability discrimination requirements or the government’s Decent Homes standard. The council’s strategic housing team is now recommending that the most viable option is to close the scheme."
But for the residents living at Hare Hill Court, this decision not only means that they will face the upheaval of being relocated in their later stages of life, but that they will also be parted from their friends.
One of them, Harry Lyons, aged 76, said: "A lot of residents are upset that the proposed closure means that they are going to lose their friends. People’s lives are centred around this place, the youngest resident is 67. It’s a racing cert that they will close us down. I wish I could pick winners as easily."
A report goes before the council cabinet meeting at the Town Hall next Monday and the final decision will be made in November.
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10/09/2008 at 17:02