A Wiltshire widower has been left “devastated” by redevelopment plans that would see his home of 27 years demolished.
Michael Hitchcock has lived on Dixon Way in Calne for three decades but now looks set to be moved on.
His housing association, GreenSquareAccord, has launched a public consultation on plans to knock down four of its properties on the street, and replace them with up to nine new build homes.
Mr Hitchcock, whose wife died last year, says the news he is set to lose the former family home “ripped his heart out”.
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Michael Hitchcock at his home in Dixon Way (Image: Newsquest)
He added: “I’ve been dealing with the death of my wife for the last year and now it feels like someone has died all over again, it ripped my heart out.
“When they told me I just sat there in shock and cried my eyes out, I feel like I’m drowning.
“It’s brought all the memories of my wife and kids living in that house flooding back, there’s so many memories here it’s comforting.
“This is my home and I don’t want to leave.”
Residents will be able to see the plans and “influence the design” at a consultation at 13 The Wynd from 3pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, July 10, with 150 households invited.
In the meantime, affected residents remain concerned about their future.
Mr Hitchcock added: “They’ve dropped a bombshell on me, but I don’t even know what will happen.
“I’m so stressed out and so are my neighbours, some of them only moved in a few months ago and are being moved on.
“None of us know what will happen, it’s chaos.”
At this stage no planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment.
GreenSquareAccord says it has “a duty” to ensure its homes are “high quality, energy efficient and affordable”.
A spokesperson added the properties would be replaced using modern construction methods to ensure they are “energy efficient and fit for the future.”
They said: “The proposals will enable us to increase the number of affordable homes at this location.
Michael Hitchcock (Image: Newsquest)
“We have communicated our proposed plan to customers, residents, and elected representatives.
"We are currently at the early design and consultation stage to prepare a planning application due to be submitted in Autumn 2024.
“If the proposals are approved, once construction is complete our impacted customers will be given the opportunity to return to one of the newly built homes.
“We are committed to supporting our customers throughout the process and will work with them to find alternative accommodation if and when required."
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