RESIDENTS of the former Beechmere care home say they feel "abandoned" although a contractor has now been appointed for the £26 million rebuild of the complex which was destroyed by fire two years ago.

Your Housing Group (YHG) says a change in ownership has delayed construction work at the site in Rolls Avenue, where some of the residents would like to return.

The site remains derelict 11 months after Avantage (Cheshire) secured planning permission for a 132-apartment replacement home from Cheshire East Council.

YHG says the rebuild project remains a two-year process, but some residents, like Sheila Jackson from Wheelock, are concerned that the 2024 target for completion will be too far away.

The 84-year-old, who escaped from the blaze on August 8, 2019 with only her walker, is adamant Beechmere's elderly residents have been treated shabbily since the aftermath of the fire which left around 150 of them homeless.

Architects told Cheshire East's southern planning committee on October 28 last year the project would be completed "as quickly as possible".

After being temporarily housed at Barony Lodge in Nantwich with other Beechmere residents, Mrs Jackson was moved into a Plus Dane Housing flat at Lightley Court, where she remains today 22 months later struggling, she says, to keep in touch with her friends and family in Crewe.

She claims she hasn't been kept well-informed over the last year and is feeling isolated.

"No-one from Your Housing Group has been here to see me - I thought they would keep in touch," said Sheila. "I've had to ring to find out what was happening. I want to go back to Crewe; I'm 84 and I am still suffering now.

"We need to know when they're starting [the rebuild]. I would go back there as long as I am fit."

Before the fire wreaked havoc Sheila was an active member of the Beechmere community, attending craft classes and helping out at meetings of the Stroke Association, whose local branch supported her after she was hospitalised in 2013.

She says other former Beechmere residents haven't been so fortunate. Several have passed away, including her friend, Julia Hines.

"There was a lady called Glenys who came here [to Wheelock], but she's gone to a home in Winsford because she couldn't manage here.

There's no proper help here because it is all independent living," added Sheila.

"There's quite a few [of us] who have died as it's been a couple of years now. Julia moved to a bungalow in Sandbach, but she didn't like it there and she moved again to be with her family. She died 12 months ago - that was the shock that killed her.

"My family are in Crewe. I only thought this was going to be short term when I moved in."

And she added: "I feel we've just been abandoned. Nobody cares anymore because I'm an old lady. But I'm not as old as I sound and I've always been on the go and helped others - I used to work as a carer."

YHG informed Beechmere residents in a recent newsletter that "minor delays" to the rebuild have been caused by the change in ownership, with YHG becoming the sole shareholder in Avantage (Cheshire).

The housing company says it intends to start building work this year, although a national shortage of building materials could put back the start date.

A spokesperson for Your Housing Group told Nub News that a main contractor for the work has been secured and added: "Good progress is being made and residents are receiving updates, with a number of resident groups meeting the YHG team regularly too.

"We are working closely with the council as the project is complex and has many variables to manage through."

Planning permission is required for the installation of sprinklers on the new building's standing meres. The original home was criticised for its lack of them after the flames tore through timber cladding.

Architects say they have learnt lessons from the fire and as well as sprinklers they will use steel frames or render rather than timber in the design of the new home, which will incorporate many of the former facilities such as a village hall, library and communal garden.

Cheshire East Council says it is committed to the rebuild of the Extra Care Housing scheme at Beechmere and a spokesperson said: "We are working closely with YHG as the sole shareholder of Avantage on a number of technical and contractual matters.

"As the landlord for the scheme, YHG is leading on communication with residents, with the support of the council, and has recently produced a newsletter and is holding regular drop-ins to keep them informed."