A FAMILY desperate to move back to a village where they can receive support for their disabled mother is fighting a housing association’s decision to sell off a home ‘perfect for their circumstances’.

Aster has put a three-bedroom house in Pound Road, Over Wallop, up for sale for £225,000, which otherwise mum-of-two Michelle Bradbury would have been able to apply to live in from the social housing waiting list.

The former mental health practitioner is registered disabled and with her condition worsening in the last few years, she has tried to return to her home village of Over Wallop where her support network is, while currently her 10-year-old daughter Rosie-Marie acts as her carer, as her husband works in Basingstoke as the sole breadwinner.

The family have been bidding for suitable properties to meet their location and disability requirements for more than a year, and Michelle says this property is a rare find.

She said: “The whole village is in uproar that this house is being sold off.We just want the chance to bid on it, the frustration is we can’t even afford to buy it.

“They’re taking a house away from us but also for several other people in the village.”

Letters of support have also been given in, including from her daughter’s school, stating how the move to the area is crucial for her daughter’s mental health and wellbeing.

Last year Aster was due to sell off another home in Pound Road but changed its decision following a couple’s need for the property.

An Aster spokeswoman said: “This property has a very low energy rating and the work required on this particular property is significant.

“We have chosen not to sell several properties in the area this year so that we can accommodate the housing needs of people with a local connection.

“But we do need to strike a balance between selling some of our poorly performing stock and developing more new affordable homes.

“We understand the importance of providing rural housing in areas like the Wallops and we are working closely with Test Valley Borough Council to ensure we consider the housing needs of local people.”

Borough council housing boss, Councillor Phil Bundy said the authority was “keen not to lose” any affordable homes from the local area but it is ultimately Aster’s decision what to do with accommodation that does not meet their standards.

He added: “Aster has committed to replacing any properties sold with alternative units of affordable housing and these are generally delivered nearby.

“We work proactively across Test Valley to try to accommodate those who are experiencing housing problems in a bid to prevent and reduce homelessness. The council is also committed to increasing the number of affordable homes in the area and we are proud of our track record of consistently delivering the highest number of affordable homes in Hampshire.”

North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, who is also housing minister in government, said housing associations exist to provide homes for people that need them and most are not for profit "with a strong sense of social purpose."

He said: "From time to time, they may wish to dispose of empty social housing properties so they can manage their assets efficiently.

"In this case they have strict rules to abide by such as notifying the regulator, achieving value for money, and reinvesting proceeds to support tenants depending on the situation.”