RESIDENTS SEEK ASSURANCES OVER FUTURE LETTINGS

4.00.00pm GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Steve Gilbert with residents of Hilgrove Road, Newquay

Newquay's prospective MP, Steve Gilbert, met with residents of Ocean Housing's Hilgrove Road sheltered housing scheme this week and backed their call for action on anti-social behaviour and sought assurances on the age range of future tenants at the scheme.

The meeting, with representatives of Ocean Housing present, was called to talk about complaints of increasing anti-social behaviour in the area. Residents highlighted the difficulties of having younger people placed on a sheltered housing scheme predominantly with older people.

Steve Gilbert has called on Ocean Housing to work with Cornwall Council to review the future of their letting policies for Hilgrove Road and to work with the residents to tackle the specific issues they raised.

Commenting, Steve said, "I've got relatives in sheltered accommodation and I know that inconsiderate behaviour by a few, of any age, can disturb other residents and cause distress."

The Lib Dem candidate added: "It's clear that, in this instance, a few people are spoiling the Hilgrove Road area for everyone else and making residents feel less safe and secure in their own homes."

"I've asked Ocean Housing to work with Cornwall Council to review its letting policy to make sure that older people in the area don't get overwhelmed by younger people moving in, and to do more to ensure that the complaints residents have are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner."