Residents on a deprived Plymouth estate fear it may be years before they find out if they'll lose their homes.

Barne Barton social landlords Sanctuary Housing has announced huge plans to either extensively renovate or tear down entire rows of flat down along and behind Savage Road in a bid to modernise the neighbourhood.

But people are worried they won't achieve stability for years and claim housing housing chiefs may invoke statutory powers forcing leaseholders to give up their flats even if they don't want to move.

While others say they don't want to leave the place they've been proud to call home for the past few decades.

Sanctuary has been asking residents for their views about what should happen to their community - rocked last year by a major fire which forced an entire block to vacate and find somewhere new to call home.

Bosses insist no formal decisions have yet been made - yet sceptical tenants fear the estate's demolition has already been set in stone.

We're too old to get another mortgage....

Gerlinde says she's too old to get another mortgage
Gerlinde says she's too old to get another mortgage

Gerlinde Williams, 78, and her husband have lived in a Sanctuary Barne Barton block for 26 years.

She says not knowing what will happen has left her feeling stressed and troubled.

"It's sad, because we're of an age now where we would this would be it for us (that this would be our final home)," Gerlinde said.

"We came from a four-bedroom house in Mutley and decided to downsize as it was just the two of us - so this is a big decision.

Gerlinde Williams, 78, says there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of people's homes
Gerlinde Williams, 78, says there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of people's homes

"We are too old to get mortgages - and we wouldn't get the money back if Sanctuary bought it from us again.

"It's stressful not knowing what will happen. But a lot of work needs doing to the blocks as well.

"It could be years, it could be anytime soon (before we know what will happen. No-one knows."

"This is my home...my daughter was born upstairs"

A police cordon in place outside a Sanctuary Housing block where a fire took hold in September 2018
A police cordon in place outside a Sanctuary Housing block where a fire took hold in September 2018

Sanctuary Housing says it is considering injecting millions into rejuvenating the estate - once dubbed Plymouth's 'forgotten island' community.

The association manages the grey maisonettes on Talbot Gardens, Savage Road and Roope Close.

But it is considering striking a deal with the landowners, Aviva and Quintain, to buy the plots off them and knock the buildings down and start again.

Existing tenants would either have to bid for places in new build accommodation - or find alternative arrangements.

Bert Sedgwick, 49, fears he would feel 'isolated' should he be told to leave.

"For me this is a big deal - here I have a good support network around me and my flat is spacious," he said.

"I'm not going to find anywhere else like that.

"I've heard it's going to be two or three years before Sanctuary breaks ground. And I've been told this was first looked at three years ago - so they've been working on this all this time without anyone previously knowing about it.

"From a business perspective it makes sense - but it doesn't make sense for us as tenants.

"I can see the writing on the wall. We know (the demolition of the estate) is going to happen.

Single parent Cassie Monroe was one of a number of people living in Barne Barton who was forced to move out last year after a fire ruined her home
Single parent Cassie Monroe was one of a number of people living in Barne Barton who was forced to move out last year after a fire ruined her home

"But it's my home - my daughter was born in the room upstairs. I don't know anywhere else. If I was moved out elsewhere I would be isolated, I would be alone.

"It's just sad that there's all this wait and uncertainty."

Barne Barton campaigner Pat Patel says improvements are a long time coming.

"About five or five years ago, Sanctuary had a pot of money that had been ring-fenced (for improvements) - nothing happened," he said.

"But people's expectations were built up. Then, last year, I stood for election and I received a lot of complaints about the flats, about the fact they were paying substantial service charges and nothing was happening - as much as £180 a month, with nothing back in return."

But Pat fears Sanctuary are raising expectation too high - particularly if there are financial or legal issues trying to seize the freeholds to the post-war towers.

Pat Patel with the people hoping to keep Barne Barton relations alive
Pat Patel with the people hoping to keep Barne Barton relations alive

In an effort to keep community spirit alive, Pat's given two pals the opportunity to get their Omnium Radio venture off the ground at Tamar View Community Resource Centre.

Trace Jared-Davis, 29, and Steve Calvert, 47, have joined forces with supporters to get chats going around men's hobbies and mental health and share their love of music.

Trace Jared-Davis, 29, and Steve Calvert, 47, have been given a base in Barne Barton to promote their local radio venture
Trace Jared-Davis, 29, and Steve Calvert, 47, have been given a base in Barne Barton to promote their local radio venture

Barne Barton and Sanctuary - the big idea

There's a lot of change on its way in Barne Barton
There's a lot of change on its way in Barne Barton

Sanctuary's first consultation meeting with affected tenants was held at the beginning of the month.

It is now pulling together everyone's views and set to provide an update in April.

Daren Nowlan, Operations Director for Sanctuary Housing, said: “We would like to thank all residents who have provided their feedback and attended the consultation.

“We had some really engaging conversations with residents about the investment they want to see from Sanctuary and how we can work closely with them through this process.

“Their views will help us shape the future of Barne Barton and I would encourage anyone who couldn’t attend the consultation to provide their feedback as we are keen to hear from as many residents as possible.”

Residents can also give their views and ask questions by calling 0800 917 0477 from a landline, 0300 123 3590 from a mobile, or emailing BarneBarton@sanctuary-housing.co.uk

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