Yorkshire Housing has said sheltered housing schemes across Craven must close because they are obsolete and difficult to rent out.

But the 18 residents of Roughaw Close sheltered housing in Skipton are clear – they love their homes and do not want to move.

The 21 units in the scheme, which is next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, include a common room, where residents gather for meetings, coffee and social clubs.

Although the majority are at least 80 years old, with some in their 90s, they are all able and alert – helped by constant interaction with each other.

Now, their community, built up over decades, is under threat of being driven apart.

Roughaw’s longest established resident, 92-year-old Mille Howarth, has no intention of moving.

“I was 62 when I first moved here, I’ve been in the same flat for 30 years and I don’t want to move,” she said.

Rosemary Williams, 65, one of the youngest, finds it suits her very well. She said: “There are lunch clubs and coffee mornings, we all get on very well.

“We knew nothing about the plans to close the scheme down. Some of the ladies are not sleeping very well and it is so unsettling.”

She added there were about ten residents who had no intention of moving. “My main concern is, if we have to move, where are we going to go? There is nowhere. I have said I will stay here until the place falls down and the majority of us have said we are not going anywhere.”

There are five one or two bedroom flats, but the majority of the accommodation is flatlets – but all with their own shower room, kitchen and bedroom. There are also shared bathrooms, but most are happy with their own showers.

There are other bungalows in the close which are not under threat, but whose residents will also see their community shattered.

The residents said they felt shell-shocked after the announcement in January and had no inkling about the closures.

They were told individually and asked not to discuss what they had heard with fellow residents until everyone had been informed.

Jack Brazil, 88, has lived at Roughaw for 20 years. “I’m very happy here. I don’t want to move and am finding it hard to trust what they are saying to us.”

Mr Brazil added he had been told that Yorkshire Housing would allow a minimum of four residents to stay in the complex and was concerned what would happen then.

Norman Hiliam, 92, has lived in the complex for under a year, but said; “I don’t want to move, I’m quite happy here”.

Eileen Shaw, 84, moved to Roughaw in May last year and felt immediately at home.

“I wanted to come because I sensed I was going to be happy here, but if they had told me it was to be temporary, I wouldn’t have come. I don’t feel happy at all now, I’ve lost weight and at my age, I’m too old to move again.”

Toni Carter, whose 95-year-old mum, Mary Carter, is a resident of one of the flatlets, said: “She feels secure here and I can go away and not have to worry about her.”

The residents have been offered £4,700 to move house on top of the cost of removal and have been told all the packing and unpacking will be done for them.

“They’re saying we don’t have to worry about anything, but that does not remove the trauma of moving,” said Rosemary.

“Yorkshire Housing has also said everyone will be rehoused where they want to go – but they worry, if there are no places available, what does that mean? Will they literally be waiting for people to die – and how empty will Yorkshire Housing let the complex become before it moves people against their wishes."

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Housing said: “Yorkshire Housing formally notified North Yorkshire County Council’s health and adult services of our intention to close the four independent living schemes in January 2013.

“We agreed with health and adult services that the details would remain confidential until Yorkshire Housing had spoken to those customers directly affected. Janet Boadle, the area care services manager was informed on February 7 after the customer meetings had taken place.

“All Yorkshire Housing customers living in our independent living accommodation have their own unique care and support plans.

“As part of the process to identify suitable alternative accommodation, any services required by the customer as part of this support plan, including care services, have been discussed with the customer, their family and the service provider on an individual basis.

“We will continue to work with care providers to ensure customers are fully supported to identify accommodation suitable to their needs, including the extra care schemes currently being developed in the area.”