Norbiton sheltered housing residents may refuse to leave despite closure
10:37am Friday 10th February 2012 in Where I Live By David Lindsell
Bruce Parker, Eamon Collender and Albert Tracey
Two residents of a block of sheltered housing which was axed last night may refuse to leave and could have to be evicted, it has been claimed.
Executive councillors voted to shut the site in Norbiton to build more general housing despite a written plea for a reprieve from Eamon Collender, 69.
Kingston Council wants to turn the site into 23 flats and houses to make a dent in the housing waiting list.
During the meeting Councillor Lynne Finnerty, representing Waters Square residents who had spoken to her, said: "Two people really don't want to sign and I feel won't.
"I have spoken to two residents there who are in a bad way."
Executive member for housing, councillor Frances Moseley said: "I can't imagine we would ever remove anyone forcibly. It doesn't seem the kind of thing the council does."
Earlier in the meeting she said: "I hope you will agree they [council staff] are not heartless people. They really do want to make this as painless as possible for the tenants."
She said there were currently 16 empty rooms and 18 tenants.
They would be put in Band A, which would put them toward the top of the housing list and be helped financially to find alternative accomodation, she said.
Bruce Parker, 65, said: "I did my best but most people wanted to go. What we really need now is trained staff to support us to leave.
"It has been a really unpleasant experience."
But George Elia, 75, who has lived in Waters Square for 10 years, said he wanted to leave.
He said: "I'm not satisfied with where I am now. I want to go somewhere better."
Eamon Collender, who led the rebellion against closure, was not at the meeting and has not yet commented.
In today's Surrey Comet letters page he wrote: "Burke himself said the essence of English Common Law is not merely justice - a very moveable feast - but rather fair play.
"There is little evidence of any fair play from the council so far.
"The council does not seem to realise the dire consequences for some of us tenants, three of whom will have their worlds turned upside down, and for one, may be a bridge too far."
