A group of St Andrews pensioners have launched a legal bid after being given one year to move out before their homes are sold.
People living at Marine Place in the Fife town have been told by operator Bield Housing and Care the complex is closing due to law changes for housing associations.
But the elderly residents of the 14-flat development have vowed to “barricade the doors” before they leave.
The development, just off North Road, is designed for people over the age of 60 and some of the residents are elderly and have significant health issues.
While Bield has offered to support the eight remaining tenants find “suitable new homes” but some of them say they do not have the strength to move.
They also fear they will be uprooted to Elie or Crail instead of being offered accommodation in St Andrews.
‘We are determined we are not going to move’
Tenant Mike Reid, who is also a community councillor, told The Courier six out of the eight tenants have no plans to leave.
The 68-year-old said: “We are determined we are not going to move – we will barricade the doors if necessary.
“One of my neighbours hasn’t left her house for three months – she’s afraid to go out in case Bield lock the doors on her.
“We are sitting there every day not knowing what is going to pop through the letter box.”
Long-term resident Catherine Rowe, 81, says her GP has warned her the move could be harmful to her health.
Wheelchair user Catherine – who is blind and suffers from diabetes and extreme nerve damage in her feet and legs – relies on heavy medication to cope with her symptoms.
She said: “When I told him about what happened, he said ‘that’s not going to do you any good’.
“I don’t think I will be able to move. I don’t have the strength.”
Marine Place residents seek legal advice
The group are in contact with an expert in property law and are also seeking legal advice from housing charity Shelter.
It comes after tenants were told at a recent consultation that the end date – set for September 2023 – would now be reviewed every six months.
Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife and former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, attended one of the information sessions.
He says the situation has been “badly handled” by Bield and has caused “considerable anxiety” for the residents.
He said: “The residents have enjoyed living in those homes and are disappointed that this decision has been made.
“I think it is a positive development that the hard end date will be reviewed as it would be unacceptable if the residents were forced out.
“I am in regular contact with the housing association to make sure that the residents are offered suitable alternative accommodation.”
The residents suspect Bield plans to sell the properties privately due to the lucrative property market in the town.
Mike said: “They just want the money – we’re looking at millions here.
“It’s a valuable area and now they’re trying to kick out more locals to feather their own nest.”
‘Closing Marine Place has been forced upon us’
Liz Peacock, head of development and sustainability at Bield, said the operator was left with no choice due to new regulations on housing associations, making the properties “unsustainable”.
She said: “We can confirm there will be no sale or marketing of Marine Place until all tenants are relocated and we would like to clarify there is no current developer involvement.
“We understand how stressful this move may prove to be for a number of tenants and their families.
“Our tenants’ wellbeing remains of paramount importance to us and everything is being done to make sure the process is as smooth and unobtrusive as possible.
“Closing Marine Place has been a difficult decision, but it has been one forced onto us.”
She added that it is not possible for Bield to achieve “stringent” new regulations at Marine Place, while changes in technology and the way housing is constructed means it has to operate its homes differently.
The Marine Place housing development, built in 1870, was once a group of fishermen’s cottages commissioned by the Sea Box Society of St Andrews.
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