The bombshell news that Brentwood Council is exploring the possibility of redeveloping its sheltered housing scheme at The Retreat, off Costead Manor Road, has left many residents shocked.
Consultations on the controversial proposals for the 16 bungalow site are at an extremely early stage, but residents have already expressed dismay at the speed with which the proposals have emerged.
A meeting was held last Thursday to ask The Retreat's residents their views.
Although the council insists that no decision has been taken and no one will be forced to move if the plan is pursued, many residents are unhappy the scheme is even being considered.
Louisa Drake, 74, who has lived at The Retreat for 13 years, said: "This came out of the blue to be honest. When I got a letter saying someone was coming round from the council I thought it was to do with maintenance!
"I don't want to go at all, but if they are coming down there is not much we can do about it.
"The feeling I got at the meeting was that no one wanted to move - we thought we were going to be here for the rest of our lives."
Another resident added: "We are not very happy about this, but hopefully the council will help us as much as they can."
Residents close to the site are also concerned as they believe any redevelopment would increase traffic and the access route would have to be widened.
Head of Housing, Chris Wainman, emphasised that discussions were only at "an exploratory stage".
He said The Retreat is one of the borough's oldest sheltered housing schemes and the design of the bungalows no longer met modern guidelines, while refurbishment would be expensive.
He said: "These are very much older type bungalows with large individual gardens which the residents have difficulty looking after. The bungalows need bringing up to modern standards.
"We are discussing offering alternative accommodation. It's consultation but if it was to go-ahead it would be on the basis that nobody would be forced to move"
Chairman of the Housing and Health Panel, Cllr Pauline Myers, said any final decision would depend on the response from residents.
Published Friday, June 27, 2003
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