Relatives fear their elderly and vulnerable loved ones will be unable to cope if their homes are sold.

Landlord mhs homes is considering closing Rookery Lodge sheltered housing in Cliffe to make way for new homes.

The association claims the flats are no longer suitable, but the proposal has been met with opposition.

The properties in Thatchers Lane are home to 25 people over the age of 55, some who are vulnerable.

Their families are worried they will be moved to unfamiliar, built-up areas far away from the village.

Vera Assheton’s brother, John Tucker, has learning difficulties and advanced Parkinson’s. He has lived at Rookery Lodge for three years.

She said: “The residents were told there was every possibility it will close. Then there was a meeting with families and it seemed like a done deal.

“They are having one-to-one meetings with residents to find out their views and where they might want to live.

“One of the places that has been suggested is off The Delce in Rochester – very different from Cliffe.

“My brother has lived in the village all his life, and some of the other residents have too. He has a network of friends and family close by, and it will be very difficult for him to move. It is the same for other residents. They won’t cope with the change.”

Mrs Assheton has started a petition against the closure, which has gained support from the local church and parish council.

The flats, built in 1976, consist of studios and one and two-bedroom properties. A warden is no longer based on site, but the residents are visited during the week and there is an alarm system. There is a communal lounge that hosts activities such as bingo and quizzes.

mhs homes said a decision had not yet been made on what would replace the flats if they were demolished.

mhs homes chief executive Ashley Hook said: “We recently undertook a review of Rookery Lodge as we believe that it does not meet the future needs of residents.

"It lacks provision for disabled people and predominately contains small bedsit apartments, which makes the scheme unsustainable.

“We are currently seeking residents’ views on the future of the site, and are committed to working closely with local councillors and the community to shape our plans.

“We understand that this is an unsettling time for customers, and will do everything we can to make this process easier for them.

"We are holding individual meetings with residents later this month to talk about their concerns and to discuss where they could move to if our plans go ahead.”