TENANTS facing eviction from their warden assisted housing have vowed to fight the council over its decision to sell the site to a developer.

Angry residents in Southampton have formed a battle group to take on the council in an attempt save their homes following a meeting with council bosses at Erskine Court, Lordshill.

Lynne Lawton, 61, who has lived at Erskine Court for ten years, said: “The meeting on Monday revealed there were more furious residents wanting to fight the decision. We are currently organising ourselves into a protest group capable of taking on the council.”

Residents have received backing from the Tenants Association and the Sheltered Housing Forum after reading about the decision to close Erskine Court in Saturday’s Daily Echo.

Jane Hersee, vice-chairman of the Sheltered Housing Forum said: “It is our responsibility to inform our tenants in sheltered housing about what is going on and to give them our full support.”

Civic bosses had told residents that Erskine Court was due to undergo a major renovation over the coming months – with some properties being fitted with new kitchens and bathrooms.

However last week tenants received a letter outlining plans to move them into alternative accommodation to free the site for housing development.

Councillor Peter Baillie, Southampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “After undertaking a thorough review of older person’s supported housing across the city – quite frankly we felt that Erskine Court does not provide the high quality accommodation that we expect for our residents.”

The council claims some residents are supportive of the plans for Erskine court, which were revealed in the letter.

But Labour ward councillors Don Thomas and Keith Morrell are backing the opponents.

Cllr Morrell said: “Erskine Court is a community which does not want to be broken up. Councillor Peter Baillie, the Cabinet member for housing, is backing the officers’ recommendation, but the residents have refused to give up and go quietly and we will back them to the hilt.”

Cllr Baillie said: “Some local politicians have been shamelessly creating tension and problems where none previously existed. Erskine Court is not fit for purpose and residents deserve better accommodation in the 21st century.”

Residents have six weeks to overturn the decision to close Erskine Court before the proposed plans are finalised at the City Council’s Cabinet meeting on November 22.