Heartbroken residents tell of their anguish at facing losing their homes in the next 18 months
A community of elderly people has been left “decimated” after being told they must leave their homes in the next 18 months.
Around 120 homes at Ash Grange and Oak Grange in Knotty Ash will have to be vacated after Housing 21 told residents the 60-year-old 10-storey tower blocks were no longer viable for extended use. Devastated residents have told the ECHO how they found friends in tears after being told they would have to leave their homes by 2027.
It is expected the blocks will be knocked down and the land used to build a new facility. A structural survey concluded that while the buildings were safe for occupation, the concrete frames could deteriorate within the next five to 10 years.
One resident said the thought of having to leave their homes had “knocked the stuffing out of everyone.” The two tower blocks off Brookside Avenue were originally built as local authority housing in the 1960s.
The buildings comprise a total of 122 retirement living apartments. It is understood that the cost, disruption and uncertainty associated with remedial works, which could take up to two years meant refurbishment was not seen as a viable long-term option for Housing 21, a non-for-profit provider of extra care and retirement living.
It is thought there is no immediate safety risk to residents, who will be rehoused over a period of at least 18 months. Micky Mills, 79, has lived in his one-bed flat in Ash Grange for 17 years.
The former scaffolder said it had been hard to learn he would have to leave his home. He said: “What the hell is going on? It’s just devastating, you get your whole life planned ahead of you and it’s just whipped out from under you.
“I was offered a place in Hough Green but I look after my sister, Eileen, she’s 87. I see her three or four times a week, and take her shopping.
“I’ve been very happy here, it’s peaceful and quiet.” Micky, who worked at Stanlow Oil Refinery, said his sister had been “absolutely terrified” by the idea of moving and was “dreading it.”
He added: “It’s absolutely awful. It’s nothing to do with money, it’s how you feel, it’s woeful.
“Where are we going to go? It’s disgraceful. I’m convinced we could live her five years longer, this is a small flat but it suits me.”
The provider is expected to cover all moving costs for residents and will provide a home loss payment of £8,000. Neither block will close until all residents have been offered alternative housing.
Anne Flanagan has lived in Ash Grange for the past 13 years. The former Vauxhall Law Centre case worker said: “This block has had very little renovation, I was happy moving here, looking to the future.
“I knew I couldn’t keep my place up and I liked it here because it wasn’t sheltered. We managed to get a bit of money and got things refurbished, it’s done very well.
“It’s a community here, we don’t do anything without the two other blocks. In March we were thinking they’d tell us it had 15 to 20 years left, 18 months is what we got.
“It’s been such a blow to people. This block has had a lick of paint here and there but no real renovations. When we held a meeting about it, people were in tears, they were so disillusioned.
“It’s just decimated the community spirit.” Mary Gearing lives in the neighbouring Oak Grange.
She told the ECHO: “People are just devastated, it’s impacted the whole community. I just want to be settled at the end of the day.
“It’s knocked the stuffing out of everyone.” Mary said she felt the list of alternatives provided to residents had been “limited” and wanted to be able to stay local to ensure she could continue to access vital health services.
Another resident, Keith, lives in the neighbouring Brookside House, which won’t be impacted by the move. He said: We’re going to lose a lot of friends here.
“After a while it wanes off, doesn’t it? People stop getting in touch when everyone moves.”
Anne added: “It’s been awful, we don’t know where we are, it’s impacting people’s health.”
Kris Peach, Housing 21’s managing director for extra care said: “We appreciate the impact that the decision to close and redevelop Ash Grange and Oak Grange will have on residents. This decision was not taken lightly.
“However, as a responsible landlord, we must take steps to ensure the continued provision of safe, quality, and affordable homes for older people that meet both current and future needs. Ash Grange and Oak Grange are former local authority buildings that have exceeded their 60-year life expectancy.
“A recent structural survey has shown that while the concrete frames of both buildings are currently safe, they are expected to deteriorate within the next five to 10 years. Even with significant investment and two years of disruptive works – including the need to rehouse residents – we cannot guarantee the long-term structural safety of the buildings.
“We are working closely with residents, Liverpool Council, and other stakeholders to help everyone affected find a new home that meets their needs. Dedicated teams are based on site to provide one-to-one support, helping residents with everything from housing applications to viewing arrangements and emotional reassurance.
“While we anticipate this process will take no longer than 18 months, this timeframe is only indicative; we will take our time to work with residents at a pace that suits them and as such, it may take longer. We will also support residents with moving arrangements and costs, as well as providing compensation through the Home Loss Payment.
“Once all residents have moved to appropriate accommodation, we plan to redevelop the site into a new Extra Care scheme, linking to the existing Extra Care scheme, Brookside House, ensuring the location continues to provide high-quality, affordable housing for older people in Liverpool.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool Council said: “The council is in regular contact with Housing 21 over this matter. We are working closely with them to assist in finding alternative accommodation for their residents and to provide any necessary support.”
