Elderly residents living in one of Britain's most expensive seaside towns have blasted plans to evict them from their homes and sell off the building.

Age UK, formerly known as Help The Aged, says it has made the 'hard decision' to look at selling its property known as Woodcot in Salcombe, Devon.

The house had been left to the Plymouth Guild of Social Services by philanthropist Elizabeth Jennings in 1976 before being passed on to Help the Aged, which became Age UK, and has been used as retirement rentals for elderly people ever since.

But the charity is now looking at selling the buildings, with reports suggesting at least two investors are involved in talks.

Jane Macdonald, 78, a retired airline stewardess moved into Woodcot in 2007 and said rumours had been circulating before residents were officially told the 'upsetting' news about two weeks ago.

She told MailOnline: 'We are in shock, we are all really upset by the news.

'They can't just kick us out like that

'I have been here nearly 20 years and if they are going to kick us out - they should find us other accommodation.

'I think Age UK is being quite naughty about this. The whole town is quite horrified about this and people are on our side.

'I would be very sad to leave after 18 years.'

Salcombe Town Council has asked for the properties to be granted protected status as an 'Asset of Community Value' in a bid to South Hams District Council.

The town council's mayor Jasper Evans told MailOnline of concerns about a lack of information from Age UK on the future of the flats overlooking Salcombe Harbour.

He said: 'It's a Grade II listed property on a lovely spot and there are real worries now we've found out Age UK are exploring a potential sale.

'We're absolutely concerned about what the future holds for the people currently living there and what might happen for them next.'

The house - thought to be one of the largest properties in Salcombe - is divided into 11 flats, with one detached house in the grounds, and sits in 14 acres in the centre of the village dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea due to its popularity with second home owners.

But the majority of rooms are empty with just six residents remain living there in four properties, something many say they cannot understand.

Simon Henn, 83, who shares a pretty two-bed detached house in the grounds with his wife, said: 'We are very sad but it has been on the cards for years.

'We have had 20 years here and there can't be many places nicer to live.

'Age UK has been a very good landlord but there is a feeling in the house that it's been ignored over the years.

'I find it very difficult to justify them paying a subsidy that could be between £150,000 and £200,000 per year to keep six people in this marvelous setting.

'This is one of the most expensive postcodes in the whole country and we are here paying council house rent

'At the same time this house was given to the charity by a very generous lady to help older residents and Miss Jennings would be devastated if she knew what was happening.

'I would like to see them better use the space, there are so many ways this place could generate income and still remain a part of Age UK.'

Mr Evans said he and his council colleagues had put questions to Age UK and were awaiting answers, though had been told there were high maintenance costs as well as under-occupancy as factors behind the possible sell-off.

He added: 'What happens with Woodcot is a highly sensitive topic for many people living here and we're keen to hear from residents.'

Family members of people currently living there accused the owners of a 'betrayal', with one activist reporting Age UK to the Charity Commission.

She told the Telegraph: 'Should charities be disposing of extremely valuable assets to raise income whilst at the same time evicting the people who they are supposed to be helping?

'Not to mention the impact that the loss of the property will have on the local community. It's a betrayal and it's quite shameful of Age UK.

'Many people, my own mother included, have lived out their final years there in contented peace and quiet. It is a truly fabulous place.

'It is very much part of the local community. How does selling the property for development benefit the people they are supposed to be helping, or the wider community - many of whom want to live there?'

An elderly resident who moved into Woodcot two decades ago described being told previously by Age UK she would 'never have to move' - only to receive the bombshell information in recent weeks that the home could soon be sold.

She said: 'I feel, along with the other residents, that we should be allowed to stay here for the rest of our lives.

'Instead we face the prospect of being evicted so the house can be sold off at huge profit to developers for luxury apartments - it's just not right.'

The property originally built in 1797 by London merchant James Yates has more recently been converted into self-contained apartments.

Age UK says no one has yet been evicted from their homes at Woodcot, where average house prices approach £1million, nor received notice to depart.

A spokesman for the charity said: 'We can confirm that sadly we've made the hard decision to explore selling Woodcot.

'We're looking into a number of things before a final decision about a sale is made and therefore do not expect anything to happen until 2026 at the earliest.

'None of the tenants have been evicted and no notice to terminate any tenancies has been given.

'We decided to speak to the tenants and let other key people in Salcombe know at this very early stage because we thought it important to be transparent about our thinking.

'However, doing this early does mean that unfortunately we don't have a lot more information or answers to questions at this stage.

'We're committed to communicating with and supporting tenants through this difficult time.'

The spokesman added: 'We understand that the property is much loved locally and that different views and beliefs have developed over time about the nature of the transfer of Woodcot to us and the role of the property in the community.

'However, many of these aren't founded. The transfer of the property to Help The Aged did not include any restrictions that would stop it being sold or required Help The Aged as a charity to run it as a residential home for older people.

'All charities have a legal responsibility to ensure they are making the best use of all the funds and resources available to them to deliver their charitable objectives and that's why we believe it is right for us to explore a sale.'

Salcombe earned its nickname, punning on the affluent west London area of Chelsea, as almost half its dwellings are owned by outsiders - often using their properties as second homes or holiday lets.

MailOnline told last month how residents were celebrating after a developer failed in trying to overturn a rule that newbuild homes should only be sold to locals.

The Planning Inspectorate ruled that Valentine London could only sell its four new luxury apartments in Salcombe to people planning to live there full-time.

South Hams District Council had brought in the locals-only rule in its 2019 Salcombe Neighbourhood Plan.

Salcombe has in recent years become one of Britain's most expensive seaside towns, even rivalling Sandbanks in Dorset which is often described as a 'millionaire's playground'.

MailOnline has contacted South Hams District Council for comment.