People living council flats are furious at plans for a 'homes shuffle' as renovation work is carried out.

The flats in Sutton are to get central heating, sound proofing, electrical rewiring, new kitchens and bathrooms, but residents have been told they may not be able to return to their own homes once the work has been carried out.

Ground floor tenants of the blocks of Gregory flats, built in 1951, have to move out until the work is completed.

A letter from the council to residents says they can move into "modernised similar flats on the estate."

First floor resident Adrian Throup, 28, will not have to go, but is fighting his neighbours' corner.

He says most ground floor residents are elderly and unwilling to move.

Mr Throup adds: "Some have lived here for 20 years - why should they move out?

"I asked Craven why they don't just do the central heating, which would not mean moving out, but they won't. It's outrageous."

He says he was told if residents do not move out the work will not be done.

A ground floor resident, who does not wish to be named, says: "There's no way I'm upping sticks - they can do the work round me."

Disabled father of one Martin Halstead is happy to move.

He says: "The walls are really damp in the kitchen and bathroom - we're all sleeping in one bed, it's that bad.

"It should've been sorted out long ago."

Pensioner Colin Smith will move, but is worried about not being able to return.

He says: "I've just spent a fortune on my back garden.

"I'm very happy here - I've lived here for five years.

"They might move me down to the bottom end where there are a lot of children, and I don't want that at my age -I want peace and quiet.

"There are a lot of steps there - I've just had a triple bypass and it won't do any good climbing them."

Craven district councillor and Sutton ward representative Steve Place supports residents' requests to be allowed to return.

But he also agrees premises should be vacated while work is done.

Cllr Place adds: "They are settled in their homes, with neighbours they know and like - this request must be accommodated by the council.

"The idea, in CDC's letter to residents, that people can be put onto a conveyor belt system, from one storage to another, is both wrong and ill-conceived.

"These are people' homes and not just 'flats' and 'property.'"

CDC housing manager David Allison says: "These flats need improving, but unfortunately the sound-proofing work means there is no way people can be allowed to live through it.

"We would prefer that they are moved on permanently, but if they want to return, we will have to consider that option."

The work will take six to ten weeks, he says.

It is normal practice, says Mr Allison, for all 'modernisation' work to be done at once, instead of separate phases.

He adds: "These flats really do need bringing up to a standard fit to live in."

Opinion

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