A COUNCIL has issued an unreserved apology after a blunder which meant elderly people were told they were losing their homes.

Shocked residents at Rosemont sheltered housing in Bramhope launched a campaign to keep their flats open after being told by letter that they were being closed down.

Now Leeds City Council has said the letter was sent out by mistake and that the future of the complex was still under discussion.

A council spokesman said: “We unreservedly apologise for the confusion this has caused. To clarify, no decision has been taken. Unfortunately, an officer recommendation to close the facility has been communicated as a decision. As a facility Rosemont does have significant limitations and challenges including shared bathing facilities, so it is right that we review such provision. We understand that some residents and their families do not agree with the officer recommendation. We have already undertaken considerable consultation but will continue the dialogue in the coming weeks.”

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland is supporting the fight to keep the flats open, and he said the campaign would continue.

He stressed: “The Council are clearly backtracking now which whilst being welcome, is quite extraordinary and also suspicious. The fact is that Rosemont residents were told in writing that it was closing and have told to to find alternative accommodation, they had even been given a list of properties to go and look at.”

He added: “This situation needs a complete rethink, with the inaccurate and shoddy report withdrawn, a clear commitment that there is no timetable for the residents to move and that they can continue to carry on living at Rosemont as normal.”

He stressed: “The campaign to save Rosemont and to get it refurbished goes on. We will all work together to make Leeds City Council do the right thing and keep Rosemont open.”

Council Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Gruen met residents yesterday He said: “I understand that the idea of moving when you have lived somewhere for a while can be daunting, in the event we make the difficult decision to close we will provide tailored personal support to all tenants to meet their housing and support needs.”