THIRTY-two households on Poole's housing waiting list have been left in limbo, not knowing when they can move into their brand new flats.

The housing association flats above the Asda store in West Quay Road, and those of the nearby tower block, lie empty - and the reasons seem shrouded in autumn mist.

All parties involved admit there is a delay in the hand-over of the properties but no-one is explaining why.

That has left 32 Raglan Housing Association flats above the store, which opened in September 2004, and a further 32 shared ownership flats in the Harbour Sail tower block, vacant. And some worried people on the waiting list are in danger of becoming homeless.

The Borough of Poole, which nominated people from its 6,097-strong housing waiting list for the one and two-bedroom flats above the store, is doing what it can to help them.

Main contractor for the £30 million Asda development, HBG Construction Ltd, one of the UK's largest building companies, issued a statement to the Echo.

A spokesman said: "HBG can confirm that there has been a delay to the hand-over of the residential building at the Asda Poole development.

"This situation is being discussed in some detail between HBG, Asda and the housing association and we are confident that it will be resolved shortly."

Raglan Housing Association chief executive Alan Seabright said: "We are discussing the reasons for the delay with Asda.

"I can't be sure of a timescale for progressing this and cannot give any other information or comment at present."

Asda was contacted by the Echo and failed to come back with a comment.

Simon Hendey, head of housing at the Borough of Poole, admitted the council did not know the reason for the delay.

"We have written to everybody saying we want to offer as much support as possible," he said.

He said those waiting had been given the option of making a bid for other properties in the borough.

"We certainly don't want those people left in limbo."

First published: October 25