Residents in Silsden are calling on the council to improve the tatty state of their sheltered homes which a local councillor has described as 'slum like'.

Tenants in Briar Dene say conditions in the Bradford council run complex are getting worse with many parts in dire need of refurbishment.

They say window frames are rotting beyond repair, doors are falling off broken hinges, pipes are leaking and waste bins are not getting emptied.

Elderly people there are also calling for an improved care link system to replace the current emergency call cords, which residents say often get no response.

They would like to see the introduction of electronic bleepers worn around the neck which send an emergency signal to care line staff.

The concerns were raised at a meeting between residents and council officials this week attended by Silsden parish councillor Chris Atkinson and craven conservative councillors' Eric Dawson and David Harrison.

Councillor Dawson says: "These very senior citizens are living in slum-like retirement homes in Silsden, and many who are paying £46 plus per dwelling have simply had enough.

"There is nothing new here. Most of the disrepair is the result of almost a complete decade of neglect by Bradford's labour controlled, self-styled, 'caring council'.

"A complete and thorough refurbishment of Briar Dene must be carried out because this situation cannot, in all humanity, be allowed to go on unchecked."

Councillor Atkinson says: "The residents were told that because they have a warden they can't have the care link installed, but if that is they want at Briar Dene, that is what they should have.

"There is the fear that if they do fall and can't get up they wont be able to alert anyone, so the bleepers would make a difference.

"Residents at Gloucester Avenue in Silsden have brought about improvements so I hope the same thing can happen at Briar Dene."

He has also called into question the involvement of the two craven councillors saying: "It's rubbish on their behalf because they haven't done anything for us as far as I can remember."

Councillor Jim O'Neill, executive member of homes and environment for Bradford council says: "I am surprised at the tone of the statement from Councillor Dawson and Councillor Harrison. Briar Dene is a very popular sheltered housing scheme and there is a very high demand from people wanting to live there.

"The scheme is visited regularly by a housing officer who responds to requests for routine repairs as soon as they are reported.

"With regard to major investment, this will form part of an on-going district-wide review of sheltered housing which will look at the possibility of completely refurbishing some complexes. I would like to ask tenants to bear with us while the major review is going on and we will continue to carry out day to day repairs as required."

Tenants will meet with council officials on Tuesday to discuss the issues further.

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