ANGRY pensioners are demanding answers after a council denied a plan to axe their sheltered complex, despite written evidence to the contrary.

Residents of Rosemont in Bramhope have launched a campaign to save their homes from closure – but last week Leeds City Council (LCC) claimed no decision had been taken on the future of the flats.

Now the authority’s claim is being attacked by campaigners, who say they have written proof of the decision and they are branding the council’s statement as untrue and dishonest.

Residents, who are backed by their MP Greg Mulholland, launched a petition to save their complex after being told it was to close.

They were stunned when a senior councillor responded to their concerns by saying no decision had been made and the potential options were still being weighed up.

Councillor Peter Gruen, executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel, said last week: “I would like to stress that no decision has yet been made on the future of Rosemont sheltered housing complex, therefore there is no ‘decision’ to reverse at this stage.”

Mr Mulholland says he is appalled by the authority’s behaviour, and he stressed residents had received a letter from Leeds City Council on September 22 telling them Rosemont was to close.

The letter says: “Following a comprehensive appraisal of all the options available, a decision has been made to close Rosemont Sheltered Scheme and to look at the option to develop the site as part of the Council’s Housing Growth programme.

“We know that this is not the news you wish to hear and it has been a difficult decision for the Council to make.”

Mr Mulholland said residents had been angered by Mr Gruen’s statement. “He claimed to the paper that LCC had not made the decision to close Rosemont, yet the residents have had this in writing, from LCC,” he said . “There IS a decision taken and one that needs to be reversed, so is he just ill-informed or was he seeking to mislead? Is he now saying there is a rethink and that LCC may not close Rosemont? If so that would be welcome.”