Elderly tenants to lose homes as landlords close tower blocks

Sep 17 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Wallasey News

HUNDREDS of elderly tenants will lose their homes after a landlord announced the closure of two tower blocks.

Wirral Partnership Homes had planned to invest over £50m in improvements to its high rise flats but has decided to close Charter House, Wallasey, and Mersey Court, Seacombe, because it says further investment would not be economically viable.

It is estimated it will cost more than £123,000 per flat to keep the buildings and WPH says for that sort of investment it would be able to offer tenants new homes with all modern amenities.

Keith Gorman, 38, of Hoylake, said: “My dad who is 75 has lived in Charter House for 15 years.

“Last Monday he received a letter out of the blue informing him of WPH’s plans.

“I find the quoted cost hard to believe - unless they are going to fit gold taps and marble staircases.

“This closure will be break up a community. My dad suffers from panic attacks and, like many others, he has been extremely upset during this past week.

“It just seems strange that WPH is closing down flats in prime locations with amazing views but working on flats in other areas.”

Over 500 flats in eight blocks across Wirral will be refurbished over the next four years.