Plans to demolish sheltered flats in Craven while they are still occupied have been labelled “grossly insensitive”.

Although more than half of the 84 flats, in Skipton, Grassington and Ingleton are still lived in, some by people in their 80s and 90s, Yorkshire Housing has lodged demolition applications with Craven District Council.

The social landlord, which hopes to have moved all residents out by January, 2016, claims its “priority” is to help those still living in the flats find somewhere else to live.

It also hopes to be able to include a small number of flats at the redeveloped sites for those residents who wish to stay in the area.

But in the meantime, it has applied to the council to demolish Greatwood Close and Roughaw Close in Skipton, and Reid House in Ingleton. An application to demolish Aynham House, Grassington, is expected to follow shortly.

Skipton ward councillor, Robert Heseltine, criticised Yorkshire Housing for not waiting.

“If these elderly people have not suffered enough, the rush of getting the demolition applications in is grossly insensitive,” he said.

Yorkshire Housing announced its plans to close and redevelop all four sites at the beginning of the year.

In talks with concerned residents and with Craven District Council, it claimed the flats were not fit for purpose, difficult to rent out, and would be replaced by other housing.

Since announcing its plans, it has been keen to stress its priority has been for residents and making sure alternative accommodation is found for them.

Celia Cashman, Yorkshire Housing’s housing services director, said: “We are still working to our original timescale – we often submit applications to demolish buildings several months in advance of demolition, to avoid the safety risks associated by leaving buildings empty. These buildings are not fit for purpose, so it remains out intention to demolish them.”

She added: “At the moment, our priority is to help residents still living at Roughaw Close, Reid House, Greatwood Close and Aynham Close to find suitable alternative accommodation.

“Residents will be able to remain in their homes for as long as necessary, until suitable alternative accommodation, which meets their needs, is found.

“We are looking at options to redevelop the sites once the existing buildings have been demolished. And as previously reported, if funding can be raised, we are hoping to build a small number of flats on three of the sites.”

Yorkshire Housing plans to close Aynham Close between January and April next year; Reid House from between January and July next year; Roughaw Close, April next year, and January, 2015, and Greatwood Close, July next year, and January, 2016.