A 78-year-old mum living in one of two condemned tower blocks in Knotty Ash has spoken of her fears about being left without a suitable place to live when she is forced to leave ahead of their demolition. Pat Kelly said she has suffered sleepless nights and “massive” stress as she waits to find out when she will have to leave her home in Oak Grange.
Pat, who lives in a two-bed apartment, is also deeply concerned she may be forced to move away from the area she has called home all her life. Around 120 homes at Ash Grange and Oak Grange are being vacated after retirement housing company Housing 21 told residents the 10-storey tower blocks were no longer viable for extended use.
Residents told to leave by next year
Devastated residents have told the ECHO previously how they found friends in tears after being told they would have to leave their homes by next year. It is expected the 60-year-old blocks will be knocked down and the land used to build a new extra care facility.
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.
An emotional Pat, who is one of what is thought to be less than 10 remaining residents across both blocks, said: “I pay my own way, I just want something that meets what I need.
“My son passed away and I sold my house. I was made up to get this place, I thought I’d stay here.
“We were told we’d get our eviction notices in September but that hasn’t happened. I don’t want to go to Warrington or Leeds like other people have, I’m not well.
“I walked out of a lovely house when I lost my child. The day they broke the news we had to leave, I’d only been here 18 months.
“I can’t sleep, it kills me.”
Structural survey findings
A structural survey concluded that while the buildings were safe for occupation, the concrete frames could deteriorate within the next five to 10 years. 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 not-for-profit provider of extra care and retirement living.
The ECHO revealed earlier this year that residents had begun to move out of their homes in the blocks. It is understood they will be vacant by 2027.
Pat’s case is being supported by Ian Byrne, Labour MP for West Derby. He said: “The commitment was made to support people until they were given somewhere suitable to live.
“Pat thought this was going to be her forever home. After everything she’s gone through, Housing 21 are letting her down and we need them to work with us and liaise with us on this.”
Uncertainty for remaining residents
Pat said she had been expecting to hear about when she would need to move by the end of last month but remains in limbo. She is now having to try and source accommodation before having to leave her home.
She said: “I’m bidding on Property Pool every single day. The stress has been massive, I did this flat up the way I wanted it.
“Nothing will shame them. It’s so hurtful when you pay your own way.
“I’m frightened of going private because of what I’ve heard about landlords. We’re just being treated any old way.
“This area’s well known to me, good and bad, I feel safe here. Nobody is listening, I’m just trying to stay calm and stay strong but it’s making me ill.”
It is thought there is no immediate safety risk in the blocks to residents. 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. A Housing 21 spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with each of the remaining residents at Ash Grange and Oak Grange to find a suitable new home.
“Our on-site team is providing individual support, including help with Liverpool Property Pool, and we are working with Liverpool Council and other partners to identify suitable options. We had previously advised residents that formal notices could be issued this autumn.
“However, we are working with our partners to meet the remaining residents’ housing needs and, wherever possible, avoid the need to issue formal notices. We will keep residents informed and our priority remains supporting everyone to move safely and smoothly to a suitable new home.”
