WORRIED residents fear plans to axe a housing office would leave the elderly and disabled stranded.

St George’s Community Housing association, the company which manages Basildon Council’s housing stock, is considering closing the office in Northlands Park community centre, Felmores, because it believes too few people use it.

At a tenant and leaseholder panel, St George’s representatives said they were thinking of moving staff to offices in Pitsea and Basildon.

However, tenant representatives said the changes would leave the most vulnerable residents of the community cut off from a vital service.

Gina Blackmore, chairman of the South East and North West Community Panel and a tenant representative, said: “There are four sheltered housing complexes close to the centre and it’s their lifeline.”

Mandie Skeat, a housing manager at St George’s, tried to reassure residents.

She said: “The same services will be offered, but from a different location and the Pitsea office is within walking distance for most people.”

The Northlands Centre opened in 2005 with Government subsidies easing rental costs. St George’s pays £37,000 a year to use it. However, the Government subsidy ended in March, so now it is more expensive to rent.

Basildon Council wants to rent out the building and said the health authority is interested in taking over.

Andrew Baggot, Basildon councillor responsible for community, said: “I am very pleased St George’s is reviewing this because until it has made a decision to stay or not, we are not in a position to put the centre to other uses.”