TENANTS' SHOCK AT PLANS TO REBUILD HOMES

TENANTS AT SHELTERED HOUSING IN SHOCK’ AT PLAN TO REBUILD HOMES

- WILLIAM TELFORD

RESIDENTS in a Plymouth sheltered housing scheme are said to be “reeling in shock” after learning their properties will be torn down and rebuilt.

Plymouth Community Homes has told 53 tenants at Brake Farm, Crownhill, they will have to move out. The people, some aged in their 90s and said to include amputees, were told last week that PCH is planning to redevelop the Whin Bank Road site.

The company said refurbishing the unsuitable properties – which include small bedsits with some shared bathrooms – is not a solution as it would only be a short-term fix.

So it has been decided to demolish them and build a new block of 73 accessible, energy efficient homes, available for social rent. PCH said this would also enable it to increase the number of homes and ease pressure on existing housing.

Designs are being worked on with the project expected to be completed in about 2029. But the company said that because buildings are being razed, it will have to move people into other accommodation.

A member of the public contacted The Herald to say Brake Farm residents were “reeling in shock”.