Renouard Court, St Fergus

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Renouard Court sheltered housing is located in the village of St Fergus, situated within a quiet residential area. The scheme contains 16 flats split across 2 levels, with a former warden property attached to the scheme.

Occupancy rates at the scheme averaged 82.1% over 10 years, and have tended to be lower in recent years. Letting vacant properties at the scheme has proved to be a challenge in recent years due to a lack of demand, which has resulted in a loss of income.

Renouard Court has a negative Net Present Value of around -£3 million, which is driven by both future investment requirements at the scheme and income lost due to challenges in letting properties. However, even at 100% occupancy the scheme would still require substantial subsidy from other tenants.

St Fergus has limited facilities in the village, but has good public transport links to the nearest large settlement of Peterhead where a wider range of facilities are available. Within the village itself, there is a local shop and church hall, although tenants would need to cross a busy road to access them which may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.

The main drivers for considering the closure of the scheme are the cost of future investment which would have to be met by other housing tenants, and the challenges in letting vacancies at the scheme.



Renouard Court sheltered housing is located in the village of St Fergus, situated within a quiet residential area. The scheme contains 16 flats split across 2 levels, with a former warden property attached to the scheme.

Occupancy rates at the scheme averaged 82.1% over 10 years, and have tended to be lower in recent years. Letting vacant properties at the scheme has proved to be a challenge in recent years due to a lack of demand, which has resulted in a loss of income.

Renouard Court has a negative Net Present Value of around -£3 million, which is driven by both future investment requirements at the scheme and income lost due to challenges in letting properties. However, even at 100% occupancy the scheme would still require substantial subsidy from other tenants.

St Fergus has limited facilities in the village, but has good public transport links to the nearest large settlement of Peterhead where a wider range of facilities are available. Within the village itself, there is a local shop and church hall, although tenants would need to cross a busy road to access them which may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.

The main drivers for considering the closure of the scheme are the cost of future investment which would have to be met by other housing tenants, and the challenges in letting vacancies at the scheme.



CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

We'd love to hear from you! Please use this page to ask questions as part of the consultation process.

Question 1: Where will people go if you close the scheme?

Answer 1: We have committed to a person-centred approach to finding alternative accommodation for anyone affected by the closure of a Sheltered Housing scheme. This means that if the closure of a scheme is agreed, any relocation will depend on the circumstances of each tenant and their needs and preferences. Options could include rehousing in another Aberdeenshire Council Sheltered Housing scheme, or another council property (with suitable adaptations where needed). We would also help to facilitate an application to another social landlord (such as a Housing Association) or a move to the private sector if that is the tenant’s preference. This will include working with tenants to identify available locations that will best meet their current and future needs.
Therefore, we cannot give a specific answer in response to this request because it will vary for each tenant and their individual needs.
Normal letting rules will not apply to any offers we make to affected tenants, so tenants will not be penalised for refusing an offer that they do not feel is right for them, for example. Details of the assistance package is on the main page.


  • Share Will illegal immigrants be going into st fergus? Or with the building get knocked down? The residents of the sheltered housing block are involved in the community by doing at things with the school, involved in hall events and they also attend the village craft club. It would be a shame for them to miss out on these things. What will you do to help carry this on if they are moved? on Facebook Share Will illegal immigrants be going into st fergus? Or with the building get knocked down? The residents of the sheltered housing block are involved in the community by doing at things with the school, involved in hall events and they also attend the village craft club. It would be a shame for them to miss out on these things. What will you do to help carry this on if they are moved? on Twitter Share Will illegal immigrants be going into st fergus? Or with the building get knocked down? The residents of the sheltered housing block are involved in the community by doing at things with the school, involved in hall events and they also attend the village craft club. It would be a shame for them to miss out on these things. What will you do to help carry this on if they are moved? on Linkedin Email Will illegal immigrants be going into st fergus? Or with the building get knocked down? The residents of the sheltered housing block are involved in the community by doing at things with the school, involved in hall events and they also attend the village craft club. It would be a shame for them to miss out on these things. What will you do to help carry this on if they are moved? link

    Will illegal immigrants be going into st fergus? Or with the building get knocked down? The residents of the sheltered housing block are involved in the community by doing at things with the school, involved in hall events and they also attend the village craft club. It would be a shame for them to miss out on these things. What will you do to help carry this on if they are moved?

    asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your message. We understand and appreciate the strong community involvement of St Fergus residents, including their connections with the local school, hall events, and craft club. If any changes were to happen, we are committed to supporting tenants to maintain those important community links wherever possible.

    To clarify, no decision has been made about the future of the building. If closure were to proceed, the Council would follow the formal disposal process, and no future use has been identified at this stage.


  • Share 1. Do you think it’s fair to move sheltered housing residents of St fergus who are encouraged to get involved with the community and have made a good home for themselves. I.E the local school spend time with residents throughout the year, there is community events in the local hall and plus some of these residents go to the local craft club. 2. Will Aberdeenshire council get the Doge team in to go over their funds and see where they are wasting the tax payers money. Then they might be able to save st fergus sheltered housing. 3. Are illegal immigrants going into st Fergus housing block? Or is it going to be knocked down? on Facebook Share 1. Do you think it’s fair to move sheltered housing residents of St fergus who are encouraged to get involved with the community and have made a good home for themselves. I.E the local school spend time with residents throughout the year, there is community events in the local hall and plus some of these residents go to the local craft club. 2. Will Aberdeenshire council get the Doge team in to go over their funds and see where they are wasting the tax payers money. Then they might be able to save st fergus sheltered housing. 3. Are illegal immigrants going into st Fergus housing block? Or is it going to be knocked down? on Twitter Share 1. Do you think it’s fair to move sheltered housing residents of St fergus who are encouraged to get involved with the community and have made a good home for themselves. I.E the local school spend time with residents throughout the year, there is community events in the local hall and plus some of these residents go to the local craft club. 2. Will Aberdeenshire council get the Doge team in to go over their funds and see where they are wasting the tax payers money. Then they might be able to save st fergus sheltered housing. 3. Are illegal immigrants going into st Fergus housing block? Or is it going to be knocked down? on Linkedin Email 1. Do you think it’s fair to move sheltered housing residents of St fergus who are encouraged to get involved with the community and have made a good home for themselves. I.E the local school spend time with residents throughout the year, there is community events in the local hall and plus some of these residents go to the local craft club. 2. Will Aberdeenshire council get the Doge team in to go over their funds and see where they are wasting the tax payers money. Then they might be able to save st fergus sheltered housing. 3. Are illegal immigrants going into st Fergus housing block? Or is it going to be knocked down? link

    1. Do you think it’s fair to move sheltered housing residents of St fergus who are encouraged to get involved with the community and have made a good home for themselves. I.E the local school spend time with residents throughout the year, there is community events in the local hall and plus some of these residents go to the local craft club. 2. Will Aberdeenshire council get the Doge team in to go over their funds and see where they are wasting the tax payers money. Then they might be able to save st fergus sheltered housing. 3. Are illegal immigrants going into st Fergus housing block? Or is it going to be knocked down?

    asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your questions. We understand the strong community ties at St Fergus and the value it brings to residents. No decision has been made yet, and if closure were to proceed, the Council would follow the formal disposal process.

    To clarify, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is independently audited, receives no additional funding from Council budgets, and is funded solely through tenants’ rents and service charges.

    No future use of the building has been identified at this stage.

  • Share Where are you planning on putting these vulnerable people from our community if you close this sheltered housing? What will you do with the building? on Facebook Share Where are you planning on putting these vulnerable people from our community if you close this sheltered housing? What will you do with the building? on Twitter Share Where are you planning on putting these vulnerable people from our community if you close this sheltered housing? What will you do with the building? on Linkedin Email Where are you planning on putting these vulnerable people from our community if you close this sheltered housing? What will you do with the building? link

    Where are you planning on putting these vulnerable people from our community if you close this sheltered housing? What will you do with the building?

    Amanda Elrick asked 27 days ago

    Thank you for your question and for raising these important concerns.

    Firstly, we want to reassure you that no final decision has been made regarding the closure of any sheltered housing scheme. We are still in the process of reviewing all feedback and considering all options carefully.

    If a decision is made to close a scheme, the Council is committed to ensuring that every affected tenant receives a full package of practical and financial support. 

    More details about this support package are available on the Engage page.

    As for the future of the building, if a closure were to proceed, the Council would follow its formal disposal process.

    We understand how deeply people care about these homes and communities, and we are committed to handling any changes with care, transparency, and respect.

  • Share What will happen to the shelter housing building if it gets closed? Will it be knocked down or repurposed? If repurposed what will be repurposed for? on Facebook Share What will happen to the shelter housing building if it gets closed? Will it be knocked down or repurposed? If repurposed what will be repurposed for? on Twitter Share What will happen to the shelter housing building if it gets closed? Will it be knocked down or repurposed? If repurposed what will be repurposed for? on Linkedin Email What will happen to the shelter housing building if it gets closed? Will it be knocked down or repurposed? If repurposed what will be repurposed for? link

    What will happen to the shelter housing building if it gets closed? Will it be knocked down or repurposed? If repurposed what will be repurposed for?

    Lockie asked 24 days ago

    Thank you for your question. At this stage, no final decision has been made regarding the future of the sheltered housing building in question. We are still in the process of reviewing all feedback and considering all options carefully.

    If a decision were made to close the building, the Council would follow the formal disposal process, which includes a full assessment of potential future uses. This process ensures that any decision about the building’s future is made transparently and in line with legal, planning, and community considerations.

    We are committed to keeping tenants and the wider community informed throughout this process.

  • Share Why was flats not advertised? Why mention busses which is not reliable! on Facebook Share Why was flats not advertised? Why mention busses which is not reliable! on Twitter Share Why was flats not advertised? Why mention busses which is not reliable! on Linkedin Email Why was flats not advertised? Why mention busses which is not reliable! link

    Why was flats not advertised? Why mention busses which is not reliable!

    Haven't got any. asked about 1 month ago

    Renouard court is classed as low demand in housing terms, which refers to a situation where there are fewer people applying for or accepting offers of accommodation in a particular property or scheme than expected or needed to keep it viable.

    This can be measured by:

    • High vacancy rates (units sitting empty for long periods).
    • Frequent refusals of offers made to applicants.
    • Low numbers of applications for available properties.
    • Feedback from applicants indicating the property or location does not meet their needs or preferences.

    The properties will have previously been advertised via the Choice Based Letting portal, but if no applicants note an interest by bidding then the Housing Options team reach out to applicants on the waiting list to see if they would be interesting in accepting an offer of a flat at Renouard court, this includes advertising locally with posters and contacting local community councils to ask them to reach out to the wider community to see if there is any interest.

    Buses are mentioned as part of the local facilities available to Sheltered Housing tenants in St Fergus.

  • Share What are you going to do with the building if you close it? on Facebook Share What are you going to do with the building if you close it? on Twitter Share What are you going to do with the building if you close it? on Linkedin Email What are you going to do with the building if you close it? link

    What are you going to do with the building if you close it?

    Busby asked about 1 month ago

    1. Legal and Financial Framework

    • The HRA is a ring-fenced account, meaning all income (mainly from tenant rents) and expenditure related to council housing must stay within the HRA.
    • If a property is sold, the proceeds must be used for housing purposes—they cannot be transferred to fund general council services.

    No decision on the future use of the building has been taken because we do not know if it will be closed yet. But any return on the building as an HRA asset or any plan for future use requires to achieve best value for the HRA and tenants.

Page last updated: 19 Jun 2025, 11:20 AM