FOLLOWING Lynne Lawton’s letter (August 13) about Erskine Court in Lordshill , I would like to give assurances that the scheme has changed considerably.

Nearly 80 per cent of the remaining tenants have now given approval to the new scheme that the Labour administration brought forward in July.

One major difference is that the new flats after the phased rebuild will still be council housing, not run by an outside provider. This means tenants will pay exactly the same rents as before, unless they take up the option of a larger flat. Also, the phased rebuild will allow all remaining Erskine Court residents to remain on site until they transfer to the other side of the plot and into their new homes.

We’ll also keep the name Erskine Court, and the new version should be one of the best sheltered housing schemes in the south.

CLLR WARWICK PAYNE, Cabinet member for housing and leisure, Southampton City Council .