I refer to comments made by Helena Taylor-Knox, of South Oxfordshire Housing Association (Soha), about the proposed closure of the sheltered housing at Windows Court, Wheatley, and Badgers Close, Forest Hill.

It is gratifying that Soha is not going to get to the stage of serving a notice of eviction to anyone, even though it was stated on Radio Oxford and at the Wheatley extraordinary parish meeting on April 20 that residents would be taken to court as a last resort. Soha would surely have been very unwise, as I cannot see any judge evicting the elderly in these circumstances.

Ms Taylor-Knox also states that it could be years before everyone moves. Therefore, why not give these people some peace and relieve them of this trauma, which is not doing their health any good, and is destroying any quality of life they have left?

In other words, leave them where they are, in their homes. This was guaranteed by Soha at the time of transfer of these properties from South Oxfordshire District Council. It appears that the tenants have a perfect right to stay.

There is no under-occupancy in Wheatley. Both Windows Court and Badgers Close were built for the elderly, and should be kept as such. We are told we are an ageing population in this country, and the homes will continue to be needed.

We are in the throes of completing a petition already signed by more than 2,000 people, and the village support is phenomenal, with much going on behind the scenes.

On election day alone, 1,027 signatures were collected without any effort, and at times, the queue to sign was longer than that for the election. Such is the support for our elderly, and the wish to avoid breaking up our community.

What puzzles me is how the housing waiting list has jumped from 415 (67 currently residing in Wheatley) on October 19, 2004, to 1,000 in such a short time?

Are the district council and Soha aware that residents of previously council-owned properties are far less likely to release them and opt for sheltered housing in view of this current situation, as they are indeed protected with secure tenancy.

I was watching the 60th VE Day anniversary celebrations, and could not help wondering what the husbands of the many widows in sheltered accommodation would think of this present situation. JANET CARR, Crown Road, Wheatley