RESIDENTS of two sheltered homes in Wellington being closed by the Abbeyfield Society have been advised to protect themselves by ‘staying put and not signing anything’.

The charity broke the closure news on Tuesday (April 23) to tenants in Ivy House and The Old Vicarage after another housing provider pulled out of a deal to buy them.

Abbeyfield said it would support the 45 elderly tenants to find alternative accommodation ‘taking as long as it takes’, after which the homes would be put up for sale.

Wellington Town Council, which worked behind the scenes with Abbeyfield since consultation was announced last May, is due to discuss the issue on Wednesday (May 1).

But ahead of the meeting town clerk Dave Farrow said: “Our immediate concern is to make sure residents get the support and advice they need as quickly as possible.

“The advice we have received is residents who want to stay where they are should make that clear to Abbeyfield and are under no obligation to move out.

“We will be working with Somerset Council and others to make sure that detailed advice is available to residents as soon as possible.”

Local MP Rebecca Pow said: “Following my meeting with Abbeyfield I have received assurances every assistance will be given to help residents identify appropriate accommodation to suit their needs.

“It must be remembered each resident is on an assured tenancy and Abbeyfield have no powers of eviction and this needs to be respected.”

Somerset Council said it was providing support and guidance to residents and families and working closely with Abbeyfield to ‘minimise the disruption and distress caused by the closures’.

Somerset Cllr Sarah Wakefield said: “I understand the impact this will have on residents and their loved ones.

“Our teams are prepared to help them through this difficult time and will absolutely make sure they have access to the support and information they need.

“We recognise the value and importance of sheltered housing for older people in our communities, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of affordable and quality accommodation for our ageing population in Somerset.”

Cllr Wakefield said residents were encouraged to use the authority’s self-referral website service here https://www.somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/homelessness-and-prevention/homelessness-advice-and-assistance.

An Abbeyfield spokesperson said: “Having explored all avenues we cannot see a way of maintaining the properties as financially sustainable services that are fit for purpose in the future.

“As a charity, we never want to close any of our homes, however, part of being a responsible organisation is recognising when you need to make a difficult decision, and this regretfully was one of those occasions.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Gideon Amos, who unsuccessfully campaigned to save the homes, said: “I feel the same anger that the many long-term residents feel. 

“They should stay put and have every right to do so and Abbeyfield must be persuaded to drop whatever price they have been asking and try harder to find a new owner.”