AN MP is accusing a council of maladministration over its handling of the fate of a Bramhope sheltered housing complex.

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has lodged a formal complaint over the way Leeds City Council has dealt with Rosemont flats Elderly residents were left shocked and upset when they received a letter telling them their accommodation was to be shut down.

Council chiefs issued an unreserved apology after the letter, which they say was sent out by mistake.

But with the future of the complex still under discussion Mr Mulholland is demanding that no decision should be taken until his complaint has been fully investigated.

His comments came as the council revealed it was taking independent advice to get a second opinion about the future viability of the flats.

Mr Mulholland said: “As further information has come to light. Rosemont residents and the community in Bramhope have been increasingly shocked by the Council’s appalling handling of the review of Rosemont’s future and I have now lodged a formal complaint. There is clear evidence of maladministration both in the review process itself and in the way the Council have since sought to cover up their actions.”

The MP said residents were told in writing that Executive Member for Planning, Neighbourhoods and Personnel, Peter Gruen was to attend a briefing meeting about Rosemont on September 16 - less than a week before they received another letter telling them the complex was to be shut down.

“It is inconceivable that the ‘favoured' officer decision’ of disposal of the site on the private market was not explained to Coun Gruen at this briefing and that it was not clear that less than a week later residents would be told Rosemont would be closing,” he said. “The Council have already contradicted themselves and are simply not being honest about this matter, which is wholly unacceptable.

“Now the the entire review process must be halted until the complaint has been fully investigated and this process may involve the Local Government Ombudsman, so no decision on Rosemont’s future must happen until this is satisfactorily concluded. I have now also issued a freedom of information request, to get the bottom of this farcical episode and so residents can hold those involved to account.”

But Coun Gruen is insisting that he did not know know in advance about the letter. He stressed he and the director had already apologised and their apologies had been accepted.

Council chiefs say that they have taken on board the views of residents after meeting with them.

A spokesman said: “Advice received so far indicates that changing the building to bring it up to modern standards in this way is not possible. Independent architects are now being asked to assess if the building layout and site position would make this a viable option. Based on this second opinion and associated cost estimates, the council will continue to work with residents and consult with them on proposals and potential solutions.”

Coun Gruen stressed the issue was not about cost cutting.

“We want Rosemont residents to have better, warmer and safer accommodation,” he said. “We don’t believe that adapting the existing building can deliver that. However, given how strongly they feel about their home, we want residents to be assured that we’ve explored all the options fully. So we’re commissioning an independent second opinion on adapting the building.

“We’ll arrange a further meeting with residents so we can agree the process and move forward together.”

The council is stressing that no decision about the complex’s future will be made until the question of adapting the building has been answered and residents consulted.