Residents at a sheltered housing complex in Bradford are celebrating after being told it will remain open and will have almost £750,000 invested in it.

Pensioners living at social housing group Anchor Trust’s Abbey Court, off White Abbey Road, had feared their community would be split up after learning last October that the site was under review.

At the time residents told the Telegraph & Argus they believed the complex, which is home to more than 70 people, would be sold or closed so renovation work could be carried out and said they were angry at not being kept informed of the review’s progress.

But at a meeting with occupants this week, Andrew Reston, Anchor’s head of service delivery, informed them the trust was to start a three-year programme of investment and tenants would be able to remain in their homes while work was carried out.

Grant Downs, 60, said: “It’s such a relief. When we were told that they were not going to close Abbey Court, that they were going to invest, you could almost hear a collective sigh of relief.

“There were smiles on faces I haven’t seen smiles on for months. The T&A is greatly responsible for making them (Anchor) listen to us. It’s the T&A’s attitude towards the community that helps get things done.”

Mary McCann, 80, who has lived at Abbey Court for 20 years, said: “I cried when we were told it was staying open, I was so happy. It was depressing not knowing what was going on. We are going to have a party tomorrow to celebrate.”

The investment will see new windows, lighting and the site will be redecorated.

In a statement to the T&A, Mr Reston said: “We routinely review the future management of all our sheltered housing schemes. We have been completely open about the review, making tenants fully aware of the process and letting them know the outcome as soon as practicable. The works will benefit all the tenants at the scheme and no-one will have to move out.”