Gamrie Bay Court, Gardenstown

We understand and acknowledge the deep concern surrounding the potential closure of Gamrie Bay Court. We fully recognise the strong sense of community within the scheme, the high levels of occupancy, and the vital local family support that many tenants rely on.

The proposal to consider closure is not a reflection of the value of the community or the people who live there. It is part of a wider review of Sheltered Housing across Aberdeenshire, driven by long-term financial pressures, the condition of buildings, and the need to ensure the service remains sustainable for the future.

We want to be clear: no final decision has been made regarding Gamrie Bay Court. The proposal is still under consideration and will only proceed following a decision by the Communities Committee. If the closure is approved, it will be managed with great care and sensitivity.

We understand that suitable alternative accommodation within the village is limited, and this will be a key consideration in any planning. 

We are grateful for the feedback received and will ensure it is fully considered as part of the decision-making process.

Thank you for your comments and questions regarding funding opportunities and the rationale behind decisions related to sheltered housing.

Regarding the local amenities:

• We acknowledge that the local pharmacy offers a delivery service and that GPs provide home visits, which are valuable services. However, when assessing the long-term sustainability of a scheme, we must consider the full range of amenities and accessibility, especially for tenants with increasing care needs who may benefit from on-site or nearby services.

On occupancy levels:

• We appreciate your note that current occupancy is at 100% and that tenancy levels have been rising in the last four years, however this is not a true reflection of occupancy taking on board we were unable to let properties during the pandemic, which is why it looks better in the last four years, our data reflects longer-term trends over the last 10 years and has been applied to all scheme assessments to ensure consistency with the data captured.
  
  
  
• Regarding funding:

  Warmer Homes Scotland and the Scheme of Assistance are indeed valuable resources for improving energy efficiency and supporting adaptations. However, it’s important to clarify that both schemes are only available to homeowners and private sector tenants. As such, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) tenants are not eligible for these funds. This is a national policy limitation, not a local decision.

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• For HRA tenants, adaptations and improvements must be funded through rental income, which places constraints on the scale and speed of upgrades we can deliver
  In terms of Net Zero funding, we have successfully accessed support in the past—for example, for our Interior Wall Insulation scheme. However, this funding:

  Only covers a portion of the total cost.

  Is limited in availability and not guaranteed year to year.

  Is currently only confirmed to run until 2026, making long-term planning challenging.

• We continue to explore all available funding streams and apply where eligible, and in fact we have probably been award the highest amount of any social landlord over the lifetime of the scheme and currently have a further bid, which we hope will be successful.
  
  

• Finally, we want to reassure you that decisions are not made lightly. We are committed to supporting tenants through any changes, ensuring that services remain person-centred, and that housing continues to meet the needs of older people now and in the future

Thank you for your question and for raising this point regarding the occupancy data for Gamrie Bay Court.

To clarify, the same data period was used for all sheltered housing schemes included in the analysis to ensure consistency and fairness across the review. This includes the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While we fully acknowledge that allocations were impacted during that time, the data remains part of the historical record and was included for transparency.

With regard to comments at the meeting, it’s possible there may have been a misunderstanding. It was explained that allocations were restricted during the pandemic, but was not indicated that those years would be excluded from the analysis.

We understand the interest in more detailed breakdowns; however, we will not be providing further occupancy data beyond what has already been shared, as the current dataset reflects the consistent approach applied across all schemes under review.

Thank you again for your engagement in this process

Thank you for your question regarding the potential move to a full cost recovery model.

We can confirm that consideration is being given to the financial sustainability of the service, including the possibility of moving toward a full cost recovery model. However, no decisions have been made at this stage.

Should a proposal to increase rents be developed, it would be subject to a separate and specific consultation process with tenants and stakeholders. For this reason, we are not in a position to share what the proposed rent levels might be at this time.

We are committed to transparency and to ensuring that any changes to rent levels are carefully considered, clearly communicated, and shaped by the views of those affected.

Thank you for your query regarding fire safety standards and the potential requirement for a full sprinkler system.

To clarify, updated Scottish fire safety regulations do not mandate the retrofitting of sprinkler systems in all existing buildings, including sheltered housing. However, new build Sheltered housing and multi-occupancy residential buildings are now required to include automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, under the updated building standards.

In the case of Gamrie Bay Court, a range of factors are being considered in the fire safety analysis, including:

• The age and construction of the building, which may not meet modern fire compartmentation standards.
• Fire separation and layout, which can affect how quickly fire and smoke might spread.
• The vulnerability of the resident group, many of whom may have reduced mobility or require additional support in an emergency.
• The location of the nearest Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) station, which impacts response times in the event of a fire.

These considerations are part of a comprehensive fire risk assessment to determine whether additional fire protection measures—such as a sprinkler system—would be appropriate or necessary to ensure resident safety.

We hope this provides clarity, and we appreciate your continued engagement in this important discussion.

We understand the strength of feeling in the community and appreciate the opportunity to clarify several important points.

1. Valuing Life Over Cost
Aberdeenshire Council is committed to ensuring that decisions about housing are made with the well-being of residents at the forefront. The proposal to consider closure of Gamrie Bay Court is not based solely on financial considerations, but on a combination of factors including long-term sustainability, accessibility, and the ability to provide safe, suitable housing for older people. An Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA)—which includes equality and health considerations—is being carried out to ensure that the potential impact on residents, particularly older people, is fully understood and addressed 

3. Occupancy Trends Since 2021
We acknowledge your point regarding the recent increase in occupancy. While there has been an uptake in occupancy since 2021, the overall trend over the past decade has been one of decline or instability, which has contributed to the concerns about long-term viability. The Council is reviewing all data, including recent improvements, as part of the consultation process. No final decision has been made, and this feedback will be included in the final analysis.

We are committed to a transparent and inclusive process, and your input is a valuable part of that. Thank you again for taking the time to share your views.

Thank you for your comments regarding the proposed closure of Gamrie Bay Court and the legal rights of residents under Scottish Secure Tenancy agreements.

We would like to clarify that no final decision has been made, and the consultation process remains ongoing. Should the proposal be approved, we want to reassure residents that the support and assistance package being offered goes significantly beyond the standard grant of £2,570. This enhanced package is designed to provide meaningful financial and practical support to assist residents through any potential transition, and reflects our commitment to treating all tenants with dignity and care.

You are correct that Scottish Secure Tenancies can only be ended with the tenant’s agreement or through a court order. In the event that a resident does not wish to move voluntarily, the Council would be required to apply to the court for an eviction order. Such an order would only be granted if the court is satisfied that the legal grounds for recovery of possession are met and that it is reasonable to do so. One such ground includes where the property is due to be redeveloped or repurposed, which may apply in this case if the closure is approved.

At this stage, no redevelopment plans have been confirmed for the Gamrie Bay Court site. However, should the closure proceed, the Council would explore all future options for the site in line with community needs and strategic housing priorities.

We appreciate your engagement in this process, and your feedback will be fully considered as part of the consultation.

The financial information was added to the engage page on Friday the 6th of June

Yes, an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA)—which includes consideration of equality impacts—will be completed as part of the process for the proposed closure of Gamrie Bay Court. This assessment forms part of the committee report that will be presented for decision-making. We are still in the consultation period therefore additional information from the consultation will be included in the IIA.

The IIA specifically considers the potential impact on groups with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, including age. We fully recognise that the proposal primarily affects older people, and the assessment will be carried out in line with the council’s duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty. This includes evaluating how the proposal might affect residents’ wellbeing, access to services, and community connections.

The findings of the assessment are intended to inform the decision-making process and ensure that any impacts are fully understood and mitigated wherever possible.

We appreciate your engagement and welcome any further questions you may have during the consultation period, which remains open until 16th June.

We can confirm that the demand data for the years when allocations were not permitted at Gamrie Bay Court—including the period affected by COVID-19—have been included in the bar chart displayed on the Engage page. This was done to ensure a full and transparent picture of demand over time, even during years when allocations were paused due to external factors caused by the global pandemic.