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Sante manages a smile as he looks at the space where the television used to be |
Pensioner insists ‘I’ll not move’ in the siege of Macintosh House
Tom Foot investigates ‘inhumane’ tactics in scandalous sell-off of old people’s home
A DEFIANT pensioner under siege in an old people’s home in Marylebone has told the council: “I will not leave.”
Sante Zanello, 69, is the last man standing in Macintosh House, in Beaumont Street, after the council shut down the block in March.
He has this week watched in astonishment as council workers removed luxuries in an attempt to oust him.
They boxed up books and locked away a pool table, dartboard, paintings and plates – and they even removed the television and cancelled the TV licence.
He said: “They think they can just walk all over me – but I will not go.”
Macintosh House was closed after consultants found improving living standards would cost £1.5 million.
They offered each of the 29 elderly residents £3,600 to move to other sheltered housing.
Three residents have died since a “consultation” began in October 2005 and now just two remain.
Mr Zanello, a retired West End chef who has lived in Marylebone for 40 years, believes the report leading to the decision was “packed full of lies” and that the block is in perfectly good condition.
Mr Zanello said : “There used to be a crowd of us here sitting watching television in the evening. People used to drop in to borrow books. We were all very happy.
“The size of the rooms here are much bigger than the ones they want us to move to.
“Those rooms have kitchens in the room. I don’t want to cook in my bedroom. We have got everything here. This was a property refurbished especially for old people. It has big doors and lobbies on every floor.”
The council admits they may soon be forced to serve the Mr Zanello a notice to quit – despite repeated promises during the consultation process that “no one would be forced to leave”.
The lease was bought in 1964 from Howard de Walden by one of the pioneers of the Meals on Wheels service.
Lady Anne Macintosh, who the block is named after, was “a tireless campaigner for old people”, according a plaque left in her honour in the entrance.
Lady Macintosh’s friend, the former Tory Alderman of the old Marylebone, Lucy Nettlefold, used money from her will to buy the lease.
A covenant was enshrined in the 99-year lease that reads: “To use and occupy the demised premises for the purpose only of old people’s dwellings during the said term.”
Mr Zanello said: “She left the money for the elderly people – she would be turning in her grave right now.”
The covenant devalues the building as it can only be used as an old people’s home. The council says the lease is worth just £1.4 million because of the clause.
Steve Moore, Westminster’s deputy director of housing, said: “The reason the lease does not generate a large receipt is that it only has 54 years unexpired and has covenants, which the freeholder would not agree to remove or amend, restricting its use to the provision of older persons’ accommodation. We commissioned external valuers who advised on this and concluded that the property price was correct and that these two factors restrict the value.”
But David Cohen, director of Richard James estate agents in Marylebone, said this was “naive”.
He said: “I would value the property at around £20 million. It is scandalous that the council has not properly investigated the legal process by which these types of covenants can be broken.
“The idea that the block could lie empty in Marylebone, when you think of the council waiting lists and shortage of affordable housing, is unthinkable.
“We had a similar situation with a property next to a hospital If the council wants to get in touch I would be more than happy to direct them to the surveyor. You cannot blame Howard de Walden because they are running a business.”
Simon Baynham, property director at Howard de Walden, said: “It is not just the terms of the lease that restricts development. Westminster’s own planning policy states that hostels must stay as such.
“Any development would have to provide for the same facilities for the same amount of people.”
One of the main complaints to arise from the Macintosh House saga is that the plight of the vulnerable, elderly residents has not been taken up by their elected councillors.
Mark Page, Tory councillor for Marylebone High Street ward, said he saw early on that the fight to save the block was unwinnable.
He said: “In politics there are battles you can win and there are battles you cannot. This was one I felt I could not. I think the council acted with the residents’ wishes at heart. They have given them breathing space.” |
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