Shock move for Littlehampton firefighter’s widow

The Fire Fighters’ Charity wants to demolish half of its two-block sheltered housing scheme, Marine Court, in Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton, and has told elderly residents they must move into the adjacent building.

Last year, the organisation announced all 23 flats would be knocked down to make way for a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre, but, after a bitter battle with residents, agreed to allow those in the 12 still occupied, to stay on in the other block.

Daphne “Snowy” Snowden, 70, was told in December this would have to happen by the end of January, but, she said, the timing “couldn’t have been worse”, and she thinks residents should have been given more notice.

Home for life

The multiple sclerosis sufferer said: “I am going into the hospital for surgery on January 17.

“Why do they have to do it now? In the middle of winter?

“We have known for a while that we would have to move at some point, but no one said anything until December.

“It ruined Christmas, a time that is supposed to be happy.”

Snowy has lived in her ground-floor apartment for more than 13 years, and said she was told she would have a “home for life” by the charity, for which she and bass-playing husband Leonard, who died in 1992, used to raise money with concerts.

Under that impression, she said, she had poured her life savings into the flat, buying carpets and decorating, but now will have to stand by and watch it demolished.

Heartbreaking

“It is soulless, it is gutless and it is heartbreaking. This is my home.

“I am brave enough to say let’s look to the future, I know you can’t stay in the same place forever.

“The vision is wonderful and the charity is wonderful, but this could have been handled differently.”

Keith MacGillivray, the charity’s chairman, said its first and foremost concern throughout the redevelopment had been, and would continue to be, its residents.

“The Fire Fighters’ Charity has been working closely with each resident, to ensure they are kept up to date with any developments to the plans.

“On December 9, residents were informed that a move would take place during the third week of January.

“Their comfort, ease and understanding of the situation have been paramount, and therefore, since this meeting we have had daily contact with each resident to ensure they feel fully informed and are happy with the circumstances presented.”

The redevelopment plans will be considered by Arun District Council in the coming months.