THE DEATH of a 73-year-old resident of Barstow House was brought on by stress over the future of the York old persons' home, a relative claimed last night.

Social services chiefs have commiserated with Irene Evans over the death of her brother, Joe Smith, but say they hope his death was not connected with their plans for the home.

Mrs Evans, of Ancress Walk, told a meeting in York last night her brother died of heart failure nine days ago.

She said: "He died in Barstow House and I am convinced it was brought on by stress through all this carry-on. In my opinion there will be a lot more."

She was speaking at Clementhorpe Community Centre, where around 60 people gathered to debate a city council plan to convert Barstow House into flats for the elderly.

Coun Bob Fletcher, City of York Council chairman of social services, replied: "I am sorry, in terms of Mrs Evans, at the sad death. Clearly there will be stress. I hope that was not caused by the proposal at Barstow House."

James Player, of Age Concern York, spoke on behalf of two of Barstow House's 29 residents.

He said Jack Carr, 78, "frequently broke into tears" when discussing the proposal. Eileen Collingwood, 87, had been happy and comfortable and "went right down" at the thought of moving.

Coun Fletcher said the proposed £900,000 scheme was in line with a survey of elderly residents in York which showed the majority wanted to stay independent as long as possible.

"We have to look at the needs of the elderly population as a whole and not just now but into the future generations and what their needs will be," he said.

The conversion last year of Glenn Lodge residential home into independent housing worked extremely well with resident allowed to move with friends, in their own time, he said.

"We are convinced we can do that at Barstow House."

Social services chiefs meet on March 9, to determine the proposal.

Afterwards, Mrs Evans said her brother was worried about moving to a new area because of his poor eyesight.

"He had diabetes and his eyes were deteriorating. We were born in this area and he felt safe because he knew he could find his way about," she said.

"He talked to me about it and said he was worried to death and did not want to go out of the district."

Mr Smith's body was found in his flat last Monday after he failed to visit Mrs Evans for lunch. He did not suffer poor health apart from diabetes, which was under control, she said.

"I got the shock of my life. We would have given him another 10 years. We have been very close. I shall miss him very much."

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