Pensioners plead to be kept together as home is closed

Dellside sheltered accommodation in Willington, near Crook, will be closed and demolished as the building has been deemed unstable and has suffered subsidence for years.

About £150,000 has already been spent by owners Wear Valley District Council to maintain and stabilise the 22 flat complex. But council officers say it cannot spend more cash on the property, which was built in 1974.

Constant repairs have been made to the building since 1978, as the slope it stands on has gradually moved away from beneath it, causing instability and structural damage.

Dellside's 17 residents are now pleading with the council to keep their close-knit community together by rehousing them near to one another.

One said: "Lots of us have lived under the same roof for many years and our neighbours are very important to us, it will be awful if we're all split up. We also moved here to feel safe and that will be lost if we cannot get into sheltered accommodation."

A warden was on site until April, but was withdrawn during council cutbacks, and there is still an Intercom system and link to the Homeline service to call family or the emergency services if needed.

Craig Douglas, the council's Principal neighbourhood manager, said: "There is no real urgency about the closure and moving people, but it is a decision we had to make.

"A housing officer will speak to them all individually to try to find them homes they are happy with. If at all possible we will find them somewhere close together, but we're unlikely to find places nearby for everyone."

Councillor Brian Myers, who represents Willington, said: "The council have no alternative but to demolish Dellside for the health and safety of the residents. It is nevertheless disconcerting for the residents, some are in their 80s or 90s.

"Wear Valley District Council must listen to and address their concerns - there must be an effort to rehouse en bloc."