TENANTS in Malvern say they are being “thrown out on to the streets” to make way for a £20 million stateof- the-art retirement village.

Festival Housing plans to start building the scheme on the site of Alexander Gardens and Brookside in Malvern Link later this year.

It moved the former elderly residents out in 2008/9 and let their properties out on short-term rentals.

But now some of those new tenants say they had no idea their homes were only temporary, and were shocked to receive letters giving them two months’ notice to leave.

Festival strongly disputes this, saying all tenants were made fully aware of the situation before moving in.

There are 65 households of varying tenancy types on the proposed development site.

Roger Male, who moved into Brookside in Gloucester Close two years ago, has been told he must be out by Sunday, March 18.

The 55-year-old, who lives on disability benefits after suffering two strokes, said: “Most of us signed tenancy agreements on good faith without notification that we would only be here on a temporary basis and were not informed that we would be expected to move in the near future.

“Now we are being told that we have to move and are not entitled to any compensation removal costs, reimbursement or help with re-housing.”

He said residents had been told they could re-apply for housing but that when he tried he was told there was nothing available.

“They are basically throwing a lot of people out on to the streets.

They seem happy to leave us on our own to fend for ourselves,” he added.

Mr Male’s neighbour Vincent Wemyss said: “Apart from the obvious worries of homelessness and the threat of legal action if we do not comply, many of the residents this affects have issues that have not been taken into account, such as physical disabilities, mental health issues, drug and alcohol dependencies, depression and old age.

“With a little thought and sensitivity this could and should have been handled completely differently.

What would have been wrong with consultation, appointments to discuss our concerns, informing us of this situation further in advance and prioritising the re-housing of those affected?”

Clare Huyton, Festival’s director of housing and communities, said residents were kept informed throughout the entire four-year process.

“New tenants were told at the time of moving in that they were being given shorthold tenancies so we could progress these plans when planning permission was gained,” she said.

“We are in the process of giving tenants two months’ notice and are working closely with them to find new accommodation and to give the best advice available.

Tenants will be given the highest banding when they register to find new properties and they should continue to talk to us.”