A mother's plans to move to a better house for her physically and mentally disabled son have been dashed after her housing association blocked the move.

Kerry Flanagan, who lives with her two-year-old son Joe and three daughters in Seaforth Avenue, Southend, had arranged to swap houses with a tenant of Estuary Housing Association.

Hopes dashed - Kerry Flanagan and her children Vikke, 14, Kayleigh, seven, Ella-May, six, and Joe, two, have been told their wish to swap houses with Sharon Cogan, standing, is illegal Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

The house she wants to move to, in Alting Close, Southend, is bigger and more suitable for her son Joe, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and is soon to get a wheelchair.

Before the move can go ahead, both housing associations have to agree the swap, and while her housing association have accepted it, Estuary say it's a no go because the house isn't big enough.

Ms Flanagan said: "It doesn't make any sense. The house I want to move to is bigger and has more toilets than the one I live in now.

"At the moment I have to carry my son Joe up the stairs every time he needs the loo, which is a nightmare."

Sharon Cogan, who has agreed to swap her house with Miss Flanagan, added that she could not see any reason for the move to be blocked.

Estuary say they have been forced into refusing the swap, despite both houses passing an inspection, because of Government legislation.

Barry Cox, chief executive of Estuary Housing Association, said the house is not suitable for the needs of Miss Flanagan.

He said: "Under our allocation rules, Miss Flanagan's household would be overcrowded in a three-bed house and needs four bedrooms due to the number, ages and gender of the children."

Published Thursday, July 31, 2003

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