Local Lib Dem Raises Concerns at County Delays at Hostel Plan in Shippon

12.00.00am GMT Mon 11th Dec 2006

Residents at Stowford House in Shippon are having to put up with inadequate living conditions while they wait for two new bungalows to be built.

Wootton County Councillor, Chris Wise, expressed his concern for the residents at November's county council meeting, when he tabled a question to Cllr Charles Shouler.

Stowford House is the last of the county's residential hostels for adults with learning disabilities. The county has plans to sell the site, and then two new bungalows are to be built where a supported living service would be provided for the remaining five residents.

However, the site has not been sold and the bungalows have not been built. "Stowford House, originally built to house 23 residents, is now in an unsatisfactory state of repair," said Cllr Wise.

"Continued delay and anxiety combined with inadequate living conditions must be having a negative impact on the quality of life for the five residents. This is a situation of which the County's Cabinet cannot be proud."

Cabinet Member Charles Shouler has been asked when the residents can expect to move to the new accommodation promised to them.

Councillor Shouler's written reply at the meeting of the Council was that Stowford House is being offered for sale on the open market on the basis that purchasers will be required to provide the two replacement bungalows and planning permission has to be secured.

Councillor Chris Wise has asked the Cabinet to give this matter its urgent attention so that it can be resolved satisfactorily for the residents.