West Lothian disabled veterans facing eviction 'must be offered new homes'
Conservative group leader and ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Damian Doran-Timson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service said he understood the financial problems the charity faced but was 'dismayed' at the sell-off plans, and called on it to reconsider.
The Conservative leader on West Lothian Council has called for disabled veterans facing eviction to be offered a home for a home.
Linburn estate at Wilkieston has been home to tenants of Sight Scotland Veterans - formerly Scottish War Blinded - for decades.
The decision to sell off large parts of the estate for housing development affects a total of 13 residential properties on the site, including seven veterans with vision impairment and six private tenants.
Conservative group leader and ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Damian Doran-Timson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service said he understood the financial problems the charity faced but was 'dismayed' at the sell-off plans, and called on it to reconsider.
'I met with Sight Scotland last week and listened to their views and whilst I believe they do need to look at revenue and income, I request they look at any other options they may have.
'As part of the sale to a developer, I ask the charity to include the clause that like for like houses are built for those that currently live at Linburn and the developer/housing association manage the properties that the current residents are in.'
The charity has told residents to find new homes within a year as it revealed plans to sell the land for development.
It comes after Sight Scotland Veterans faced losses of more than £18m over the last four years.
The charity stressed it was working with residents and no one was facing immediate eviction.
Veterans said they fear spending the rest of their lives on the housing waiting list which already has around 11,000 names.
West Lothian Council confirmed that no plans for development had been lodged.
The news earlier this week prompted the Leader of the Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick to write to the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, asking him to 'intervene immediately and help these veterans'.
Councillor Doran-Timson also called on Sight Scotland help the Military Museum of Scotland, located on the estate, to relocate if it has to.
He added: 'As I have been for a number of years, I am still pressing the council to also identify land in West Lothian that can host the Military Museum.'
Founder and curator of the museum, Ian Inglis, told the LDRS that the letter from Sight Scotland had been ' a bit of a shock' but was not unexpected.
And he vowed: 'Military Museum Scotland will not close and we will continue our work with veterans.'
He said: 'There is no guarantee that housing will be built there, however it has been on the council's Local Development Plan for over 10 years.
'All I have been told is that we have about a year to leave as the land is being sold to help fund Sight Scotland.
'If we were to move out in a year, I think we would have to close the museum now and start packing. That is out of the question as we have bookings right up to the end of the year, and I will not disappoint anyone by cancelling their booking.'
Mr Inglis added: 'We have needed a much larger premises for years, we have been looking, but now the pressure is on. There is a place out there with our name on it, we just have to find it. We will be officially launching our campaign next week to try and find somewhere and to raise funds to help with a move.
'Sight Scotland veterans have to do what they have to do to survive as they do great work helping and supporting veterans, as we do.
'It's just a shame that they feel the need to evict veterans from their homes and to evict another Veterans Charity to do that.'
Craig Spalding, Sight Scotland Veterans Chief Executive, said: 'Selling the land will secure the financial future of the charity. However, it will mean that the existing housing on the site will need to be demolished.
'We recognise that we have a duty of care to the existing tenants and are committed to finding each tenant alternative living arrangements that are as good as, if not better than, their current accommodation.
'The proceeds from this sale will enable us to continue providing life-changing support at our Linburn Centre, as well as preserving and strengthening the essential services we provide across the country.'
Mr Spalding added: 'We recognise that this decision will unfortunately impact current estate tenants, including veterans with vision impairment, and have extended the notice period to a full year. We wish to make it clear that no one faces immediate eviction.
'The charity is committed to working closely with each tenant to help them find suitable alternative accommodation and minimise disruption by offering personalised support through our Financial Well-being service. We informed the tenants of our long-term intentions at this stage; in order to start a conversation with each tenant to understand their specific needs so we can support them effectively.'
Councillor Fitzpatrick told the LDRS: 'This must be a very worrying time for the veterans and their families and it is very upsetting to hear that they are being faced with such an uncertain future at Linburn, along with the museum and veterans centre who do a wonderful job.
'I have written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministry of Defence to ask them to intervene immediately and help these veterans. It cannot be left that veterans - who have proudly served their country - are left facing eviction from a community that they belong to.'
A council spokesperson told the LDRS: 'The council has not received a planning application or granted consent for the redevelopment of the veteran's village at Wilkieston. However, we are preparing a new Local Development Plan.
'Through the 'call for ideas' part of this process we have been made aware by Sight Scotland that they wish to dispose of this site for market and affordable homes.
'We are currently reviewing all proposals submitted to the 'call for ideas' to see if they are suitable for development. A proposed plan will be published in due course.'
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