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Pensioners’ outrage over eviction threat
TWENTY pensioners face eviction from their home in Bayswater as part of plans to build family sized-affordable homes in Westminster.
The elderly residents of Bridgefield House – some as old as 90 – are mobilising against plans to demolish their block in Queensway.
Mr Wheeler said: “I am not going to leave and that’s that. They will have to drag us out of here. When the man came to tell us he left with a flea in his ear.”
Peter Denman, who has lived in Westminster all his life, was shunted to Dagenham for four years when he retired. He achieved his dream move back to Bridgefield House just seven months ago.
The 69-year-old said: “I have spent all my savings on things for this flat. It has been painted and there is a new bathroom and kitchen. I do not want to leave. They came and visited us and said ‘You’ll hear in four months’. Well that’s going to be a fine Christmas present.”
The plight of the Bridgefield residents comes as council officials attempt to oust 69-year-old Sante Zanello from his home in Marylebone by cancelling his television licence and boxing up his books.
Campaigners argue the treatment of Westminster’s elderly – who make up more than 10 per cent of the borough’s population – has exposed as hollow the council pledge that “every older person matters”.
Steve Moore, Westminster’s deputy director of housing, said: “The City Council has commissioned experts in the field of elderly care to look at facilities at Bridgefield House and they have concluded it does not meet the standards we expect to achieve for older people.” |
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