A controversial bid to demolish and redevelop a popular sheltered housing scheme has been backed by independent consultants.

Vulnerable residents at Elizabeth House called on Sutton Council to investigate refurbishing the 75-tenant site over fears they will lose their close-knit community.

But Tribal Consulting found refurbishment of the scheme, which was found not fit for purpose in 2003, would meet little or no access requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and would not increase provision for a growing elder people in the borough.

The report also found the lifetime of a redeveloped scheme would outnumber a refurbished scheme by double at 60 years to 30 years.

Speaking to the Sutton Guardian housing chief Simon Latham said: “The report concludes that providing new homes is the most appropriate means of delivering improved older people’s housing.’’

Last year council scrapped original plans stating all residents would be kicked out and rehoused when building work began after petitioners raised concerns at the psychological impact on residents.

It now favours a phased development which would allow up to 34 residents to stay on site until new homes become available and all current 78 residents would be able to return, if they wanted.

Previously residents of the Cheam Village scheme have been angered at an apparent lack of consultation after a 2003 report found the scheme unfit for purpose, but residents were only told of the need for redevelopment in July last year.

It was revealed that the council only moved to act in 2007 after the questioning from the Audit Commission.

But Mr Latham said while the report was noted in a public forum in 2003, it would have been unwise to officially inform residents by way of letter or leaflet.

He said: “It would have caused immense anxiety and raised more questions than we could have answered.

“We would have been expected to have these answers.’’

The council also had more urgent priorities to attend to before dealing with the problem of the scheme, he said.

Mr Latham noted that regeneration might negatively impact on some members of the community.

But he said: “The Council will take full responsibility for securing accomodation and making arrangements for all the residents who need to move.

“Officers have experience of rehousing residents from other sheltered schemes and are aware of the stress that can and will be created for the residents and staff involved.’’

He also argued that keeping 34 residents on site would address some of the concerns of the local businesses who are worried about all the tenants leaving and the impact it will have on local trade.

Mr Latham said rehousing would take about 12 months, depending on availability, and building work would take about another year.