THERE are fears a historic retirement home in Wirral could close due to concerns over the building – but the move would mean the dozens of turfed-out residents are handed £6,000 each.

The news comes as owners begin consultation with residents over the future of the 17th-century Eastham House, which due to its Grade II-listed status and ageing conditions, is "in review".

Riverside, the body in charge of the building, has stressed any talks are at an early stage, but said if it does close, each resident affected would be given £6,100 "plus disturbance payment", to help them settle into a new home.

Alison Halstead, Riverside's head of retirement living, said given the age and history of the building on Eastham Village Road, "a number of issues have been identified".

She added: "These include the layout of the manor house, which is limiting accessibility for residents with mobility issues, and difficulties modernising a Grade II-listed property due to planning and heritage regulations.

"We are consulting with residents there to determine the future of the scheme and ensure it meet the needs of existing and future customers.

"No decisions have yet been made and as the review progresses, we will continue to communicate with residents and are asking for their input so that we fully understand their support needs, now and in the future."

She said Riverside understood it was an "unsettling period" for residents, adding: “But we will continue to reassure and keep them updated on the progress and will arrange to meet with them again in three months’ to provide a further update."

There are 34 apartments at Eastham House, which was once owned by Sir Joseph Paxton, designer of the gardens at Birkenhead Park and the exhibition building of Crystal Palace in London.

Residents, who are all over 55, were reportedly told the news of the consultation at a meeting last week.

Eastham Liberal Democrat ward councillor Chris Carubia said his reaction to the news was "one of shock".

He added: "It's come out of the blue. It's a well-established housing place for a lot of older folk.

"The place is wholly-owned by Riverside, so they have every right to sell it.

"But my concerns are where the residents will go now.

"There's no place for them locally, so what’s going to happen to them?

"They might be getting a sum of money, but that will be little consolation if there’s nowhere for them to go.

"The Lib Dem group will sit down and draft up a response and find out what it is that Riverside wants to do."