Abbeyfield chief confirms homes are staying open

Gideon Amos MP has welcomed confirmation that Ivy House and The Old Vicarage in Wellington are definitely staying open.

He joined a visit by the Chief Executive of Abbeyfield Living Society to assure the elderly tenants over the properties’ future.

In two meetings with residents, Paul Tennant also outlined plans for improvement works which are planned at both premises.

He was joined at the meetings by Cllr Andrew Govier and - at Ivy House - by Mr Amos and the Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd.

Abbeyfield, which runs the independent living schemes in High Street and Corams Lane, originally told residents last April that it had “made the difficult decision to close the homes.”

But Mr Tennant visited them last month to announce they would be staying open after all and pledged to visit again in four weeks for an update.

He explained yesterday that the charity had closed a number of homes across the country that were no longer financially sustainable, which has helped to fund improvement works needed at the remaining properties, including Ivy House and The Old Vicarage."

Homes England – the public body which funds new affordable housing in England – had also reviewed its guidance on the use of recycled capital grants to allow investment in existing properties.

“We’ve had discussions with Homes England – I’ve spoken to their lead people about what we want to do here. They’ve been supportive.”

Mr Tennant also spoke of the support received from the local community.

“I met with Gideon a couple of weeks ago and had a really helpful conversation. Gideon has drafted a note to send to Homes England.

“We have also received support locally from Wellington Town Council.”

Both Cllr Lloyd and Cllr Govier told the meetings that the council was "100 per cent behind" keeping the homes open.

Cllr Govier said: “We’ll do everything we can to ensure you end up with a better facility, rather than losing it which we feared at one time.”

Mr Amos, who first attended meetings to support residents back in 2023 when he was still a Parliamentary candidate, told residents: "My role is to work for you as residents and I would like to thank Paul for coming to see me in Westminster and working with me on this.

“I am working with Abbeyfield on your behalf, and with local councillors, to ensure that Homes England and Somerset Council also support the essential refurbishment that you need."

He added after the meeting: "It's incredibly welcome that, after a long campaign, Abbeyfield has now committed to keeping Ivy House and The Old Vicarage open.

“I want to pay tribute to the residents who never took the threat of closure lying down and have helped deliver a brighter future for their homes and for Wellington."