CAMPAIGNERS in Burnley have heralded a Court of Appeal decision in their fight to restore wardens to sheltered housing complexes.

Housing landlord Calico is adamant that wardens are not required at its sheltered premises across Burnley and Padiham.

But this has been disputed by residents at Viking Place who insist the move will leave tenants feeling vulnerable and isolated.

Now protesters have taken heart from a major court case, centred on the issue, which they say supports their contentions. An action was brought by sheltered housing residents in Eastbourne over plans by housing association Circle 33 to remove wardens at complexes in the Sussex town.

Court of Appeal judges have now ruled that such registered social landlords can be held to account, under human rights legislation, as public bodies.

Burnley campaigner Pat Knights, of Manchester Road, says the verdict is an important milestone in their fight in East Lancashire.

She said: “Until now registered social landlords have been hiding under the misrepresentation that they are private companies, so they cannot be challenged under human rights legislation.”

Lawyers involved in the East-bourne case have now given notice to landlords across the UK that they could face legal action unless they reinstate wardens.

Campaigners in Burnley have also welcomed the prospect of an upcoming BBC Panorama docum-entary on sheltered housing.

Calico has replaced a live-in warden with a support worker who attends premises at alloted times during the week.

The decision has already been welcomed as a ‘major victory’ by Vernon Yarker, chief executive of housing charity Shelter.

Mrs Knights added: “I suspect that the housing providers who do not wish their residents to have ‘rights’ will appeal against this, to the House of Lords.

“But we have still scored a major victory at this stage of the proceedings.”