I am writing regarding letters and articles about Clover Grass Court, Bratton. Clover Grass Court is not a care home or a nursing home.

It comprises 24 self-contained studio and one-bedroom flats for older people to live independently with the support of our warden service.

We have difficulty letting this type of accommodation not only in Bratton. In west Wiltshire we have 53 vacant properties, 36 of which have been empty for more than three months. This is not a recent problem and other providers have similar problems nationally.

At Clover Grass Court we currently have 12 of the 24 flats empty, four ground floor and eight first floor, with the longest vacancy going back six years.

In Trowbridge we have successfully remodelled part of a site for people with learning disabilities, installed a lift to a site in Warminster and are in the process of remodelling part of another site in Warminster.

We have also undertaken extensive local and national advertising of vacancies, produced brochures, made other agencies aware of vacancies, attended shows and events, displayed To Let boards and established show flats for people to view. This has successfully reduced vacancy rates but regrettably not at Clover Grass Court.

We advertised Clover Grass Court up until June last year, before our board of management decided to suspend lettings while the options for the site are investigated with a view to finding ways of bringing the building back in to use. Applicants are being held and we will have regard to any applications as part of the housing needs study.

Despite talks with care agencies for other supported housing uses we haven't had success due to the village location. We're now asking Bratton Parish Council to help us conduct a housing needs survey in the village in conjunction with West Wiltshire District Council and Community First. The aim is to establish what current and future housing needs there are in Bratton to allow us to consider a way forward. The results will not be available until later in the year.

We stress that our board has made no decisions in respect of closure or any other option. Any consideration about options will only take place following extensive consultation with tenants, their families and other community stakeholders.

We have been talking to residents for over a year alongside the parish council about the problems we face in letting and have kept them informed at every stage. We recognise the human aspect and the uncertainty for tenants. This is not due to indecision but avoiding making the wrong decision in haste.

In respect of the petition we welcome the community support for Clover Grass Court. I did not 'toss it aside' as suggested. It was taken back from me to allow those signing to say whether they would like to live in Clover Grass Court, or knew of people who may wish to.

We hope the energy and support of the local community can be focused to work with us to find a solution in the coming months.

P Moore

Director of Property Services,

West Wilts Housing Society