THE boss of the care company which announced it was closing two Wellington sheltered housing properties before dramatically u-turning, visited residents to explain the decision.

Chief Executive of Abbeyfield Living Society, Paul Tennant, visited Wellington on Wednesday (April 16) to talk to elderly tenants of Ivy House and The Old Vicarage.

During the visit, he said the properties are definitely staying open, and outlined plans for improvement works at both sites.

He was joined at the meetings by Wellington Town and Somerset Councillor Andrew Govier and – at Ivy House – by MP Gideon Amos (Lib Dem, Taunton & Wellington) and Wellington Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd.

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

However, last month, he backtracked on that announcement, instead confirming they would be staying open after all.

Paul Tennant, Cllr Janet Lloyd and Gideon Amos MP

On Wednesday, he explained the charity had closed a number of other properties across the country, which had helped fund improvement works needed at those remaining, 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 said.

He 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,” he went on.

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

Taunton & Wellington MP Gideon Amos addresses the meeting

Both Cllr Lloyd and Cllr Govier said the town council was “100 per cent behind” keeping the homes open.

Cllr Govier told the meeting at Ivy House: “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, said: “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.”

After the meeting, the MP added: “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.”

READ MORE: Sheltered housing properties in Wellington to close