Victory for more than 100 veterans who feared they would be made homeless by ... trends now
Armed forces who feared they would be left homeless after Chelsea planned to demolish their homes in a bid to expand its stadium have breathed a sigh of relief after being told they will be rehoused.
Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions is based in the shadow of the Premier League club's west London stadium, and has been standing for more than a century, housing around 100 veterans who have served in Korea, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
Veterans, however, were left fearing they would be made homeless or 'binned in an old people's home' after Chelsea's £80million bid for the site was accepted last October.
Under the redevelopment plans to expand Stamford Bridge, the majority of the 157 veteran homes would be knocked down, with Stoll, the charity that runs the site, unable to confirm veterans would definitely be rehoused in the area.
It led to dozens of servicemen and women, some as old as 95 and some suffering from mental health issues such as PTSD fearing the would be 'totally abandoned'.
Yet in a huge victory for the veterans at the site, it has now been confirmed they will be rehomed a stone's throw away in a brand new estate close to Fulham's riverside. Stoll will also maintain 20 of the existing homes.
Veterans including Paul White (pictured) previously voiced concerns about moving out of their flats, but now the military pensioners will be rehomed nearby
Chelsea have completed an £80m deal to buy the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions (circled) next to Stamford Bridge
It has now been confirmed that the veterans living at Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions will be rehomed a short walk away. Pictured: Veteran Rodney Hood with deputy leader of Fulham and Hammersmith Council Ben Coleman
Roger Smith, 55, who worked as an army chef between 1984 and 1998 serving in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and the Falklands, said he was 'extremely grateful' for the U-turn.
He told MailOnline: 'I am so grateful and really humbled. Personally this is a massive relief. It is a huge weight off my shoulders as an individual.
'I am mostly grateful but also proud thinking that if veterans are still living there in 100 years time we will have helped with a new chapter. We do have a real sense of achievement.
'Now I don't have to worry about having somewhere to live next year I can address other issues in my life such as my mental health.'
Rodney Hood, 54, said it was 'good news' that the community was being kept together.
The veteran, who served for 12 and half years touring Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and Norway said: 'I am glad the community is going to be kept together and not scattered across the country because it provides so much support.
'It is good that Stoll have finally seen the need to keep the community together - it has taken them a long to time to realise but it is good they have.
'It is good news. There might be some teething problems and it won't be exactly the same but hopefully we will have procured a legacy for veterans for the next 100 or 200 years.'
Veterans had feared they would be made homeless or 'binned in an old people's home' after Chelsea's £80million bid
Veterans had feared they would be made homeless or 'binned in an old people's home' after Chelsea's £80million bid. Pictured: Councillor Coleman speaking to veterans living on the estate
The charity, which runs the site supporting vulnerable veterans, previously insisted no one from the estate would be made homeless – and support would be provided throughout the process
Another veteran, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'The vast majority of people are tired of being overlooked by the government and being treated by the corporate world as an afterthought.
'However with the intervention of Ben Coleman, both Chelsea and Stoll have placed community requirements
