Hyde tries to reassure residents over Emsworth homes

Bob Stone, 65, said he was concerned about what the housing association Hyde Group had in store for him and other residents of Woodfield Park, in Emsworth.

“We feel that Hyde isn’t treating residents very well,” he said.

He said some residents had already moved out but there was no word on what the housing group planned to do with the 32 affordable homes down the road.

“They didn’t even have any consultation about moving people out,” he said.

He said many feared the future of their homes was in doubt.

“There’s been rumours going around that they were going to knock them down,” he said.

Some people have lived in the street for 40-odd years, according to Bob.

He moved to Woodfield Park 15 years ago.

“I don’t want to move,” he said, adding he spent the years cultivating his garden.

“At the moment I would like to put new carpets down but I’m not going to because I don’t know what’s happening.

“I love it here because you have got a little bit of garden out the back.”

He went on: “I don’t want to move, I’ve got lots of friends here.

“I know a lot of other people who don’t want to move.”

He said there was a lot that was not clear as the properties were still being maintained, making people think perhaps Hyde might be keeping them rather than knocking them down.

He said the problem for many people was the fact they were being left in limbo.

The Hyde Group said it wanted to try to set residents’ minds at ease.

Regional director Chyrel Brown said: “I’d like to reassure residents of Woodfield Park that it is not our intention to sell the land.

“We do want to talk to them about the future of their homes and that is why we’ve written to residents on an individual basis to arrange appointments.

“We look forward to consulting with them.”

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