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Pensioners’ upset at plans to close sheltered homes
(l-r) Bradley Hill, eight, of Woodlands, Sandra Salmon, of Intake, Ralph Salmon and Yvonne Hill, both of Woodlands, are concerned that Woodlands View sheltered accomodation could be closed by the council, with Ralph being a resident. Picture: Andrew Roe
ELDERLY residents living in sheltered council accommodation are distraught after plans were unveiled to move them out of their homes.
Pensioners living in Woodlands View are now in limbo after learning of the controversial proposals to close the complex that could see around 20 residents forced to find a new home.
Sandra Salmon whose 89-year-old dad Ralph has lived in the complex in Edwin Road, Woodlands, for 22 years described the plans as “disgusting.”
She said: “My dad was really upset when they mentioned they might close it.
“He loves living here because he still has his independence. He’s nearly 90-years-old and the last thing he wants to be doing is uprooting and moving house.
“At the minute they’re saying it’s just a proposal but as far as I can see it’s going to happen. “They’ve been letting the flats get run down for years, they must have known this was coming and that’s why they’ve not bothered doing anything about it before.
“It seems like the council are just targeting the old folk in Doncaster.”
Ms Salmon said her father is one of around 17 residents still living in the flats that can house around 35 people.
She claims council workers said some of the accommodation was not fit to live in but have never done anything to improve it.
The council failed to answer why it proposed to close the complex when asked by the Free Press.
Gary Wells, assistant director for housing at Doncaster Council, said the views of residents and ward councillors would considered.
He added: “We are working with ward members and residents to consult on the options available.”
Mr Wells said that a coffee morning was recently held to ask for the views of residents and what their housing requirements were.
The findings will be included in a report to go before the council later this year, Mr Wells said.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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