PLANS to re-classify elderly people's bungalows to make them available for general housing have been slammed as 'outrageous' and 'scandalous' by Calstock parish councillors.

Councillors vowed to fight to keep their sheltered housing for the elderly and vulnerable and said plans by Cornwall Housing were to 'meet targets rather than meet the needs of the community'.

There are more than 70 bungalows in the parish which have been occupied purely by the elderly and disabled since the 1970s, the majority in the Woodland Way area of Gunnislake, where a drop-in centre was built for the older population and is well used.

Residents of these properties have all received letters from Cornwall Housing about the Older People's Accommodation Review, saying that in the future when their bungalows become available they will be allocated to any suitable applicant from the housing register.

But it has been made clear that current tenancies will not change and current residents will not be asked to move out of their homes.

Homes are being inspected and may be deemed unsuitable for the elderly if they are in isolated areas, have poor access because of steps or hills or are not near public transport, shops or a doctor's surgery.

Calstock parish councillor Dorothy Kirk said she was concerned that the elderly were being under-prioritised: 'This is all about taking people off the housing register. For 40 years these bungalows have been lived in by elderly people and there is a very, very good need for that because we have a large population of older people here.

'The prospect of them being sent away from their communities because accommodation will not be available to them here is horrifying, scandalous really.

'The houses in Gunnislake are just a few yards from the health centre and they are in the centre of town. Yes it is a bit steep but where isn't in East Cornwall'

Cornwall councillor for Gunnislake Russell Bartlett said more than half of the properties in Woodland Way and Woodland Close were being re-designated for general use under the review.

'I think it is disgusting because these homes were specifically built for the elderly.

'I, and the parish council will be fighting this all the way because of the lack of consultation and because it is simply wrong.

'The residents have had letters but that was the first they knew of this review — it seems the decision has already been made.

'We just cannot afford to give up sheltered housing accommodation, not when the elderly population is growing. I have had no assurance that more housing for the elderly will be built to make up for this shortfall.'

A spokeswoman for Cornwall Council said it had to take into account the need for general needs housing and increased demand for one and two bedroom properties in light of the Government's plans to reform the welfare benefits system and specifically changes to housing benefit.

In Cornwall there was more than four times the number of applications for general needs housing than for designated older persons' accommodation. The review was underway with the full involvement of tenants, she said.

'With regard to the 40 properties in Woodland Way and Woodland Close in Gunnislake, 17 will remain as designated older persons' accommodation with the remaining properties, as they become vacant, being available for general needs housing.'