Guy Cholerton served in the Coldstream Guards
Dozens of veterans living in accommodation next to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium are facing eviction.
Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions was established in 1915 to provide homes for soldiers returning from war.
The complex currently houses 42 veterans, some of whom have served in places including Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
In October, Chelsea Football Club had a bid of £80m accepted for the site.
It is understood the sale is set to be finalised early this year. The CEO of the charity Stoll, which owns the complex, said no veteran would face homelessness.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, of the 157 flats at Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, only about 20 would be retained under Chelsea’s plans.
Those people who are on secured tenancies will be rehoused, with support from Stoll, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. However, those who have lived in the complex for less than five years will have to make their own arrangements,
The charity Stoll, which owns the building, provides accommodation for vulnerable veterans
Resident Guy Cholerton, who served in Northern Ireland and in the first Gulf War, told BBC London he feared being made homeless.
The 56-year-old said: “The fact which worries me most is becoming homeless and the detrimental effect it might have on my mental health issues, as many of the residents here suffer.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has urged both Chelsea FC and Stoll to pause the sale while a viable solution is found for the veterans.
Various facilities feature on site including a communal space and medical centre, the latter of which serves 6,500 patients across the wider community.
‘Beyond refurbishment’
Stoll’s boss Will Campbell-Wroe explained the sale would secure the “long-term financial sustainability” of the charity.
“The reality is the site is not sustainable for the long term, with many of the flats beyond the scope of refurbishment,” he said.
“We know that the news has had a huge impact on our residents and we understand the significant anxiety and uncertainty this will cause for many.
“It is for this reason that we have committed to helping every resident find alternative housing and we will provide more detail on this in the coming weeks. We are not making our veterans homeless and no veteran will be left without a home.
“Supporting our residents is of paramount importance to us and we welcome the engagement of those who share in this aim.”
The Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg Hands, said he welcomed the “intervention” by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, because “anything the council could do to help [tenants] get rehoused, provide housing… would be a good solution”.
“I’ve known the Stoll residents for many years now and they are people who deserve to be looked after; these are people who have served their country in different conflicts,” he said.
Mr Hands added: “I think it was difficult and probably not economical to refurbish the properties; that was definitely an issue.”
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk
