Plans to shunt a home for elderly people with dementia around Kingston have sparked a political furore.

Subject to a feasibility study, Amy Woodgate House, now in a dilapidated state, could move twice in as little as five years.

The first move, which could happen within the next two years, would see the 36 elderly residents head from their Coombe home, to an empty building in Nigel Fisher Way in Chessington, where they would stay for around three years.

They could then be relocated to Tadlow Court on the Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton.

Kingston Council executive voted last Tuesday to back a feasibility study, which will look at moving Amy Woodgate House.

However, the decision has been met with deep concern by fellow party members and opposition councillors on two fronts.

Some fear the upheaval will be too much for many of the residents, who are already poorly, but they also believe the council has betrayed Chessington and reneged on an election promise by failing to make sure the Nigel Fisher Way site is solely for community use.

Councillor Kevin Davis, leader of the Conservative group, said: "Chessington needs a day centre for older people, not what the Liberal Democrat executive is pushing through, even against the wishes of some of its own members.

"The residents of Amy Woodgate are being used like pawns. They deserve a safe and stable environment not to be shunted around the borough."

Labour councillor Sheila Griffin said: "It is dangerous for these people to be moved, and then moved again. Many people with dementia don't survive this sort of upheaval."

Lib Dem Councillor Martin Blakebrough said: "Chessington has the highest population of elderly residents in Kingston, yet we will be giving the go-ahead to forget them.

"Amy Woodgate House offers facilities for a very small section of people it's totally unsatisfactory.

"People will have no reason to trust this council if the executive just backs out on promises."

The executive said at the meeting the Nigel Fisher Way would revert to day service use for the community once Amy Woodgate House had moved, for the second time, to Norbiton.

Amy Woodgate House refused to comment on the move. The council has requested feedback on its feasibility study in November.

The study will also determine the council's plan, agreed in principle, to build affordable housing at Ely Court, a new community centre and a home for the elderly residents with dementia at Tadlow House.

rclifford@london.newsquest.co.uk