A CAMPAIGN to save a sheltered housing complex in Pool-in-Wharfedale is gaining momentum -- producing a 500-signature petition in a fortnight.

A delegation of elderly tenants from Wharfedale Court and their relatives also raised concerns at Monday's meeting of Pool Parish Council.

Leeds North West Homes (LNWH) has now agreed to hold a public meeting to discuss a way forward.

In a development sure to increase the pressure on the ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation), alteration work has begun on two bungalows which could have provided accommodation for some residents.

The Church Close houses are being modified to provide a single home for a disabled man from Leeds who has been trying for years to be re-homed -- but not in Pool.

Catherine Airey's mother Amy Miller, 79, has lived in the sheltered complex for 15 years.

Mrs Airey said: "LNWH says there are only one or two people who want to stay there, but there are quite a few. More have changed their minds since they realised there's a campaign to try and save it. They are happy and settled, some have lived there most of their lives and they don't want to move.

"They say it needs £1 million spent on it, it doesn't. It does need new windows and a general face-lift, and the bed-sits converted into flats.

"We've had lots of responses from people in the village saying they want to move in there when they reach retiring age, but the council says no-one does.

"We just want them to say they'll discuss it again. They should be able to do it up and keep it on, they've been talking about this £5 million of new money, some of that could go on it, couldn't it?

"Now they're converting these two bungalows into one for someone who doesn't want to come to Pool. They should be for people from the village."

LNWH announced its plans to close the Main Street home, which has 13 flats occupied out of 34, in January.

The decision was based on low demand for places and the estimated £1m expense of refurbishing it properly. It followed a consultation with residents which revealed that only four wished to remain in Pool.

LNWH Chairman Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel and Wharfedale) said: "I can assure people I'm willing to listen to the views of anybody, to take this petition and come along to a public meeting to hear the concerns of residents, find out what their fears are and why they believe information passed to us about demand and costs was wrong.

"If we've been given the wrong information we would obviously need to reconsider our decision.

"There's been no demand from people in the area at the moment for places at Wharfedale Court. But it's important we agree a way forward with residents."

Since announcing the closure LNWH has insisted no-one would be 'evicted' and that residents would be re-homed in the communities they favoured.