Sheltered accommodation in Beddington was demolished yesterday (July 25) four years after residents were told to move out.

In 2013 residents of the sheltered accommodation in Richmond Green were informed by Sutton Council that they must vacate their homes as they were substandard.

Most of the elderly residents eventually moved out except Brian Gould who only left his home last year.

Speaking to Sutton Guardian, independent councillor Nick Mattery, said: “I feel a community has been destroyed. What makes me unhappy is that it’s people that have served their community.”

When the council announced that residents had to move out, Cllr Mattey accused them of using “misinformation” about the building after obtaining an independent surveyors report.

In response Chief Executive of Sutton Council, Niall Bolger, said: "Of course that would be a situation which would be unacceptable and beyond the pale if it was true, and actually it is inaccurate and untruthful."

Cllr Jayne McCoy also denied Cllr Mattey’s claims: “We had robust evidence presented, explaining the issues with the existing bungalows, both structurally and in terms of their suitability as sheltered housing.

“No new evidence has been presented to invalidate the original evidence based on the decision. Cllr Mattey references a structural survey that he had done.

“Cllr Mattey’s survey, as I understand, that he paid for personally, consisted of a surveyor standing outside one of the remaining properties and didn’t actually enter the building.

“Compared to our original survey it doesn’t negate those surveys at all. Ours are far more robust.”

Cllr Mattey still believes that the council were wrong to move people from their homes.