The former elderly persons home at Oakhaven has remained empty since elderly residents were moved out in 2016.
The building was briefly used as a homeless hostel and then for Police firearms training
A report in October 2015 had set out the Council’s preferred strategy.
We said at that time “given the Councils shambolic record on project management, we doubt if we see any improvements much before the end of the decade”.
It turns out that we are being optimistic.
As recently as 21st November 2018 the Council was maintaining that it would work with a private sector operator (Ashley House) to build an “extra care” scheme.
Now a report published today says the plans have been abandoned.
“due to planning restrictions and financial viability this project has not progressed.
A number of alternative options for the site are being modelled for financial viability and officers expect to present a report to the executive making recommendations for the site early in 2020”.
Tens of thousands of pounds has been spent on maintaining and keeping the empty build secure. With increasing demands for older persons accommodation delays in excess of 5 years, in implementing projects, are simply not acceptable.
Some of the elderly tenants moved out of Oakhaven could have lived out their lives in a home that many cherished.
They deserve a better epitaph