FRAIL and elderly pensioners have been “left in the dark” over plans to uproot them from their homes during a six-month refit of sheltered housing in Halesowen.

Dudley Council is accused of “lacking compassion” in failing to listen to concerns of Margaret Vine Court residents or tell them where they will be moved when work starts in the new year.

Eric Fletcher, aged 89, said: “Everyone is agitated and worried sick. We have tried to talk to the planners, the architects and the builders but they won’t speak to us, leaving us in limbo.”

Plans for the re-modelling and refurbishment of the 1970s block of mainly single flats in Moat Drive were outlined to residents a month ago, but no-one has told them where they will be moved to whilst the work is carried out.

Mr Fletcher, whose wife Clodagh is 87, said: “People have lots of questions about what is planned and we have been left in the dark about where we will be moved to.

“Many people don’t have families with space to put them up for six months and people, especially in old age, need some comfort and assurance that they will be looked after.”

The pensioners – many in their 80s and 90s – also have concerns about some of the remodelling, which will involve making eight two-person flats smaller and creating open plan kitchen and living rooms.

Two flats, originally designed for wardens and their families, will be turned into four flats and Mr Fletcher said his 93-year-old disabled neighbour would lose his home permanently and had no idea where he would go.

Residents agree the block needs a facelift with the fitting of wet rooms in the flats and removal of communal bathrooms.

As part of the makeover, there will be new kitchens, new carpets and redecoration.

Some flats will have balconies installed as part of £4.8 million scheme for the block and Holloway Court sheltered complex also in Halesowen.

Margaret Vine Court will also benefit from a heating upgrade, electrical rewire, lift refurbishment, new door entry system and refurbished communal areas.

Although welcoming the modernisation, Halesowen North councillor Karen Shakespeare accused the council of “lacking compassion” but is hoping a meeting she has next Wednesday with officers will give residents some answers.

“These residents are facing a lot of uncertainty and the council should have a constant dialogue with them,” she said.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, vowed everything would be done to ensure a smooth process.

She said: “Council staff will work closely with the tenants throughout the planning stage as they will be asked to relocate to alternative accommodation when their apartments are due to be refurbished.

“The council will be working with them to offer temporary accommodation, either in their building or elsewhere, or residents may choose to temporarily move in with family or friends.”