An old peoples' home on Canvey will be knocked down within the next three years because its foundations are moving, it was revealed today.

Little Gypps Court will be demolished and its 25 elderly occupants moved to other homes across Castle Point.

More than £50,000 has been spent on the complex over the last two years in a bid to repair and strengthen the walls.

But now a report carried out into the state of the building by a structural engineer has revealed it will not last more than three to five years.

Some of the residents have already moved out and the others will follow over the next few years.

Dave Blackwell, deputy leader of Castle Point Council, said: "The complex has had moving foundations ever since it was built 15 years ago. It has now got to the stage where it will have to be pulled down.

"All the people will be moved to new locations but most have been there since it was opened. They have built up a little community. We have had a meeting with them and they were all very worried and upset.

"It started to put doubts in their mind as to whether the building was unsafe."

Councillors and staff from the home are working together to try and re-home the residents.

Mr Blackwell added: "This is the saddest thing I have ever had to do as a councillor. I spent an hour and a half sitting with them trying to explain the situation.

"When you are talking to people in their 80s and 90s it is very difficult. We are trying to have a chat with everyone and take them around to other homes.

"Even if there are no vacancies at the moment they could put their names down and wait for one to come around.

"If you look at the place you would think what a nice building but unfortunately it would cost more to repair now than to knock it down."

Facing the bulldozer - old people's home Little Gypps Court on Canvey

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