St Peter’s Court Syston Under Threat
Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) have put forward a proposal to sell off the 14 courts to a housing association due to refurbishment costs, St Peter’s Court is one of these. Understandably it has caused significant concern among the residents.
The Stn met with Cllr Laurie Needham and some of the residents currently at St Peter’s Court to find out how they feel and the look around the Sheltered Housing complex in the centre of Syston.
St Peter’s Court is a well appointed court with eight, one bedroomed flats and 26 single rooms, which the council refer to as bedsits with shared bathing, but having visited them, I would not describe them as such, because each room has a separate kitchen plus a toilet with wash hand basin. A large living space and a bedroom area which can be separated from the living space with either curtains or as one resident has done with a screen. The only thing not in the room is a shower/bath room, these are located in the corridors close by to the rooms. The residents do not find this a problem as they said, they have never had to queue to use the shower or bath and they leave it as they find it, plus they have a cleaner who keeps them immaculately clean. There is also a Laundry room, all this is set in a beautiful garden with mature trees a greenhouse where the residents grow their own food, all of which promotes wellbeing for the residents and helps combat loneliness and isolation. See our pictures below.
The residents received a letter saying their Court was ‘not fit for purpose’ which has understandably upset them and they fear if the proposal goes ahead, they will be sent all over the county should the CBC decide to sell off their home. As that is what the Court is to the residents, who aged between 70 and 90, some of whom have lived there for over 15 years and are happy there. They all know each other, they have weekly coffee mornings, quiz nights and even go out for meals together.
They are very upset that the CBC hadn’t initially been out to speak with them, since Cllr Needham got involved the chief housing officer Peter Oliver has now been out and met the residents.
Cllr Needham has also written to the Chief Executive, the director of housing and the leader of the council on behalf of the residents and has been told that no final decision has been made yet. The leader of the council has also said he will visit St Peter’s Court with Cllr Laurie Needham soon.
There are some sheltered housing courts owned by CBC which are unfit, one bring Fielding court in Loughborough, and the council are going to use it as a test case to see if it works.
However, the residents at St Peter’s Court believe that the council are not marketing the court in a positive way by calling them bedsits with shared bathing, without images to show possible residents what it is really like or arranging for eligible prospective tenants on the housing register to visit and meet current residents and view the available rooms. It is a very close community and the residents are happy living there. The residents don’t believe it would cost a great deal to refurbish St Peter’s Court as it is sound and decorated to a good standard now, it is bright a homely Court.
There are some sheltered housing courts owned by CBC which are unfit, one being Fielding Court in Loughborough, and the council are going to use it as a test case to see if it works.
However, the residents at St Peter’s Court believe that the council are not marketing the Court in a positive way by calling them bedsits with shared bathing, without images to show possible residents what it is really like or arranging for eligible prospective tenants on the housing register to visit and meet current residents and view the available rooms. It is a very close community and the residents are happy living there. The residents don’t believe it would cost a great deal to refurbish St Peter’s Court as it is sound and decorated to a good standard now, it is a bright homely court.
Residents have to decorate their own rooms, the council give them a £50 voucher. Being elderly and some having disabilities makes it difficult for them to decorate themselves. There is also nowhere to put furniture while decorating, so it would be better if the rooms were decorated before new tenants moved in and it would make it more desirable to new tenants.
One benefit to the court would be the inclusion of a lift, there is space for one in the one of the stairwells. This would enable wheelchair users to have a room on the first floor. That would then help fill the empty rooms.
The other refurbishment needed is to some of the shower/bathrooms and the kitchenettes.
Another suggestion from the residents was to offer tenants in other courts across the Borough the opportunity to relocate to St Peter’s Court, as decommissioning takes place. This would support the goal of maintaining occupancy, reduce the empty rooms and preserve the strong community here.
Another great thing about St Peter’s Court is that it helps prevent loneliness, as there is a communal lounge which is very welcoming and residents can sit and chat with others rather than being on their own.
The location is also excellent as the health centre is across the road, the residents can get into the town centre as it’s not too far away. They feel they are in the heart of the town and love it for that reason.
We want Syston residents to know of these proposals now as there should be a public consultation in the near future and we feel this Sheltered Housing Court is a great asset to the community of Syston and that it needs future proofing for local residents who need this type of accommodation as we age we can’t always do the things we used to, but still want some independence and that is what these Courts provide, somewhere to live in later life that is comfortable, easy to access, has other people there to stop loneliness and also releases housing for younger people or families. It’s a benefit to society and people of all ages should have choice. They are small communities within the wider community.
So, we hope that by raising awareness of this, we as a community can help support these residents keep their homes and prevent the loss of St Peter’s Court in Syston.
We will keep you informed in future issues as to how things progress.
