Senior citizens living at a residential care complex this week spoke of their distress at finding out that it could be sold off for housing development.
People in sheltered accommodation and a nursing home at Borehamwood Care Village, in Cardinal Avenue, were informed of the planned closure last week. Assure Care Centres plc, which owns and runs the complex, has decided to close the facility, and sell the land, because it is no longer making a profit.
If the closure goes ahead, around 90 residents, the majority of whom are elderly and in need of care support, will have to find new accommodation.
Aida Perkins, an 86-year-old resident, said: "Everyone is horrified there are people here who are seriously ill and can't look after themselves."
Bryant Homes, which wishes to buy the site, has applied for planning permission from the council to demolish the complex and build 91 new flats.
Although the plan was submitted at the beginning of the month, many residents were not told about it until they were invited to a meeting on Friday.
The 60 staff who work at the complex, which was originally known as Cardinal Court, were also not informed until after the council received the plan.
One 66-year-old resident, who only moved to the care village three months ago, said that the announcement had caused confusion and alarm. "I am devastated because I had to sell my home and move here with the help of social services I can't go through all that again," she said.
Pat Garrard, whose mother has a flat there, said she feared residents would only find similar accommodation outside the local area, away from their relatives.
"I can't tell you the distress this has caused we put so much time and care into finding the right place for my mum," she said.
Assured Care Centres, in a statement to the council, said it would liaise with the health authority and social services about re-housing residents.
The company explained it was confident its staff would find alternative jobs, because there is currently a shortage of nursing care workers.
The Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, Martin Heywood, is gathering support to launch a pressure group to oppose Bryant Homes' planning application.
Householders in Cardinal Avenue have already expressed concerns about the extra traffic which would be generated if 91 flats were built at the premises.
December 18, 2001 18:30
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article