Upheaval caused by building work at sheltered accommodation.FRAIL pensioners are struggling to live in their own homes while builders carry out major refurbishment work.

Some residents living in council-owned sheltered accommodation, at Addison Square, Durrington, have been confined to one room, without washing or cooking facilities, for several days at a time.

Dorothy Hoole (84) is one of the pensioners who believes Salisbury district council has neglected them as the bungalows get new bathrooms and kitchens.

She feels the council should have moved residents to alternative accommodation while the work was being done, because it is seriously affecting their quality of life.

She said: "You can't believe people could live in some of the houses - they've been gutted and the dust is everywhere."

At the time of speaking to the Journal, Mrs Hoole had been unable to take a bath or shower for a week and had been three days without cooking facilities.

"It's just not on in this day and age," she added.

"I haven't got a word to say against the men doing the work - they've been great - and it'll be lovely when it's done, but it's not fit for a person to live in.

"The council should have put us somewhere else while this was being done.

"Fortunately, I can walk about quite well, but there are some poor souls who can't even get out of their houses."

Another resident told how householders faced a trek to the washrooms near the dayroom.

"The work is causing havoc," she said.

"We have a communal cloakroom with toilet and washing facilities and a little cooker, but to get in, you have to press the doorbell to get through to control, and then they let you in. Quite a few of the residents are not having their kitchens done because they can't stand the upheaval."

A spokesperson for Salisbury district council said the work was essential, as the kitchens were 45 years old and did not meet government standards.

In a statement, the council said: "Moving the residents out of their homes while this work is being done would have caused them even more upheaval and distress.

"There are no other available properties in Durrington where they could have been relocated, and finding other properties within the district would have been very time-consuming and complicated.

"Everything is being done to ensure any interruptions and inconvenience are kept to a minimum."