THE deputy mayor of Cirencester has criticised a housing association for not including flats on Austin Road in its multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

Last week the Standard revealed Bromford's plans to demolish 43 homes on Paterson Road and Golden Farm Road, in the Beeches area, as part of a £4.5million revamp.

The homes were built in the 1960s and have experienced problems with damp and insulation, and if all goes to plan will be replaced with modern accommodation.

Residents have been asked to agree to be rehoused for up to two years, providing Cotswold District Council approve for the work to take place.

However, Cllr Nigel Robbins, Beeches ward member on the county and town councils, felt the scheme should also have included the neighbouring Austin Road flats, as they “suffer from the same problems”.

“I was surprised the good news that Bromford is planning to demolish the Paterson Road flats did not also include mention of the nearby Austin Road flats,” Cllr Robbins told the Standard.

“These flats must have been built at the same time and despite recent high level maintenance work, suffer from the same problems of inefficient heat and sound insulation, poor ventilation and depressing interior and exterior aspects.”

He said: “This means that tenants have heating bills, for example, higher than they should.

“Modern building standards and regulations have come on in leaps and bounds since these flats were built.”

He went on to say he had spoken to Bromford and was assured “that plans to address the Austin Road situation will be brought forward”.

There is no guarantee residents on Paterson Road and Golden Farm Road will be rehoused in the town prior to the completion of the scheme, but can return to the new homes after completion.

“It is absolutely essential that this process is carried out with the greatest sensitivity,” said Cllr Robbins.

“I can imagine very few more unsettling situations than being uprooted from your home, even if in the long run you will be better off.

“I am sure other councillors will join me in supporting the work of the Bromford team to help tenants adjust to the changes and challenges.”

Charlie Winter-Taylor, Bromford’s head of localities, said: “Bromford’s asset management strategy moving forward is to assess every home we own and decide what the best approach is to improve it to a certain standard.

“We need to ensure that we use our money in the right places to provide high-quality homes that are warm and dry.

“We will be looking at all of our stock in the Cotswolds over the coming years and, although it hasn’t been included in the current Cirencester Regeneration Scheme, the Austin Road apartment block will form part of our wider assessments for the area.”