Plans to move blind people to new accommodation at a home for the visually impaired is causing concern among some residents.

Swail House, in Ashley Road, Epsom, is owned by the charity Action for Blind People (Action) which has told its 60 tenants that it plans to re-develop the 60-year-old building in 2014-15 due to rising maintenance costs and th ned outdated facilities.

David Mackay, a tenant representative, said Action plans to build new flats on a different part of the site, move the tenants from their existing flats into the new flats, and then demolish the existing flats and sell that part of the site with permission for planning development.

The newspaper was contacted last week by one woman in her 90s who said she and her neighbours were very worried about the plans and surprised it was not being covered by the press.

But Mr Mackay said: "There are mixed feelings, but the majority of the tenants are looking at it as positive.

"Swail House needs a lot of ongoing maintenance work and was not built for the level of independence which its tenants have.

"The development will give people more of a sense of having their own home, rather than it being a big building.

"But the elderly have their concerns as they have lived here for a long time and are happy.

"They don’t want to see change."

Miriam Martin, Action’s director of development, said regular meetings would be held with tenants as it explores "exciting options for re-development" and wants this "to be a shared vision".

Action said a place would be guaranteed in the new accommodation for every current tenant.

Ms Martin said: "The needs of our tenants are of primary concern.

"Swail House is an old building, coming to the end of its natural life.

"Action will need to invest a significant amount of money in coming years to modernise the premises to meet latest safety standards and to ensure the long-term future welfare of tenants.

"Tenants are encouraged to contribute ideas and we will welcome suggestions from them.

"They will be kept informed throughout the process, and supported in making the transition to new housing if necessary."

Mr Mackay added: "This is absolutely a two-way process as people are being asked for their input.

"Going forward tenants should not be worried."

Epsom and Ewell’s town councillor Neil Dallen said Swail House is outdated and the right decision is being made.

He said: "If you are elderly and have lived there for a long time, it is home.

"There will be people upset, but sometimes, when it is best for the overall better good, this happens.

"The tenants will only have to make one move."

But Lib Dem councillor Julie Morris said the plans would be "very unsettling" for tenants.

She said: "If there is to be a higher standard of accommodation on the same site for the same tenants that would be good.

"Anything short of that would probably be unacceptable.

"Some tenants have lived for many years at Swail House and a new location, even on a temporary basis, would involve huge challenges."