Homes under the hammer

Norman Hickey died last week following the closure of Northlands, in Park Lane, Great Harwood, where his wife Phoebe was a resident until her death in April.

Lancashire County Council are now to auction the home along with Peel Court, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle and Fir Grove in Burnley.

All three will all go under the hammer on October 15. A guide price of £180,000 to £200,000 has been put on Northlands, £140,000 to £160,000 for Peel Court, and £130,000 to £150,000 for Fir Grove, which has outline residential planning permission.

But Hyndburn MP Greg Pope today demanded that the homes be withdrawn from sale if "realistic" prices are not reached.

And Burnley MP Peter Pike, has called for any money from the sale to be invested in care for the elderly.

Greg said: "I do hope the county council gets the proper price for these sites. The sooner it can be invested in improved care for elderly people in their own homes, the better. If they don't get the right amount they should withdraw them from sale."

Mr Pike said: "The district valuer will examine this to make sure the county council gets best value. It does seem to be a bit low to me but it's an auction so they may get considerably more.

"We will be watching this very carefully. I want to see that money spent on the most vulnerable elderly people as promised but there still appears to be a gap in the provision of very sheltered accommodation in Burnley."

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans added: "The guide prices do seem somewhat low but the Labour government and Lancashire County Council have set out to devalue the care home industry over six years. If the homes had been for sale six years ago they would have fetched a much higher price.

"If they are being sold with planning permission for development or the prospect of it, they should raise much more.

"I shall be watching the sales extremely closely to make sure the county gets best value. If it does not that is money lost to the local authority and services for council tax payers.

Gordon Birtwistle, Lib Dem leader in Burnley, said: "It's a scandal that they are selling Fir Grove for £150,000. The site alone is probably worth double that without the building.

"They have got planning permission for six houses so someone is going to make a lot of money. That's typical of the county council, they are completely and utterly incompetent and uncaring."

Friends say Norman, a Hyndburn Action Committee (HAC) died of a broken heart after seeing Northland close.

Fellow campaigner Kath Shackleton said: "LCC's timing is impeccable as usual. Norman fought tirelessly not just for Phoebe but even after she passed away he gained the extra strength to fight on for all the residents in Northlands. He saw them forced out of their homes and he, and they, were broken hearted.

"I cannot believe it wasn't possible to defer the announcement until after Norman was finally laid to rest. LCC have yet again shown themselves to be uncaring and insensitive and have paid no heed whatsoever to how the public feel both about Norman and this terrible issue."

Vice-chairman of HAC Lynne Atkinson said: "Norman isn't even in his grave yet and they are doing this. Whoever buys the homes I hope they realise how many lives have been ruined to get it on the market."

A county council spokesman said: "The plans for these auctions were in place before Mr Hickey's death. When you are putting properties up for sale at auction it does take time.

"Guide prices were put in by the auctioneers and reflect the market value. It's to attract people to the auction. LCC has put a reserve price on which we don't declare. It's county council policy once premises are empty to try to get them on the market as soon as possible to minimise security costs for the building."

The sale will be held by Preston-based auctioneers Pugh and Company at Manchester Airport on October 15.