WEST LONDON — A block of flats specifically designed for blind and visually impaired individuals, Pocklington Lodge, has been put up for sale, sparking considerable anxiety among its roughly 50 tenants who fear the loss of their specialized homes and community. The Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), the current owner, has confirmed the building is part of a proposed ownership transfer, though they maintain current residents' tenancies will be protected.
Residents and their tenants' association are actively campaigning against the sale, emphasizing the unique accessibility features of the purpose-built accommodation, including tactile flooring, braille signage, and color-contrasted corridors, which they fear may be lost under new ownership.
TPT states that the sale is not to a direct property developer but rather a transfer of ownership, and they assert that all tenants will receive necessary support and that thorough consultation on the "future operating model" has occurred. However, the Pocklington Lodge Tenants' Association disputes the level of support, claiming the trust has already "gradually reduced" it, thereby undermining the basis for the specialized housing.
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Jessica Parry, a resident for three years, described the lodge as her "last chance" for independent living, especially with her guide dog, and expressed that a move would "massively derail my whole life" and erode her independence. Another resident, Andrew Hodgson, chair of the Tenants' Association, has been a vocal advocate, explaining that the residents "rely on things staying the same" within their "happy, mutually supportive community."
The move by TPT also signals a potential shift in their operational strategy, with a spokesperson indicating that "the provision of accommodation for blind and partially sighted people no longer forms part of our strategy," with their focus reportedly moving towards advocacy and campaigning for broader societal inclusion and accessibility. Pocklington Lodge represents TPT's final specialist housing development.
The Thomas Pocklington Trust was established with assets donated by Thomas Pocklington, who himself experienced a sight-saving outcome after an accident. His philanthropic vision was to provide specialized housing for the visually impaired. The concerns raised by the residents highlight the ongoing tension between the specialized needs of vulnerable populations and evolving organizational priorities or commercial interests.
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