text: Pensioners and neighbours have criticised the £750,000 refurbishment of sheltered accommodation which they say has made it look like Legoland. All of the 36 units at the Redlands House sheltered accommodation have been given the colourful treatment which has been labelled an 'eyesore' by local residents. But the local council defended the colour scheme, claiming it will help residents with poor eyesight find their way home. Graham White, 76, from Penarth said the changes to the property looks 'more like a children's playscheme' The 36 homes as they were before the council spent £750,000 including funds from the Intermediate Care Fund on the renovation . One pensioner, Graham White, 76, said residents think the property looks 'more like a children's playscheme than sheltered accommodation'. Mr White, who has lived in one of the flats for three years, told the BBC: 'It is a total waste of public money. The colours are totally unsuitable for the older people that live here. 'They should put up a sign saying "Welcome to Legoland".' The residents' rent, of £103 a week plus bills, has remained the same since before the refurbishments took place. One neighbour, who lives opposite Redlands House and who did not wish to be named, described the building as an 'eyesore'. She said: 'It would be great if it was for kids. If it was a nursery it would look lovely. It looked much better the way it was before they put the colour on it.' However Sue Barter, who lives on Redlands Avenue, said she was 'not indifferent to it'. She said: 'I can see how residents might not like it. It's a shame it is not somewhere where more people can see it and appreciate it. But I wouldn't complain about it.' Hayley Selway, head of housing for Vale of Glamorgan council said the aim of the refurbishment was to 'change the look and feel of the property and bring it into the 21st century'. Mr White said after the colourful renovations that: 'They should put up a sign saying "Welcome to Legoland".' She said: 'It is quite loud and vibrant. The design won't suit everyone's tastes and not everybody is going to like it. 'This was about making a statement saying this is somewhere a little bit different.' She said the vibrant colours, both internal and external, were chosen to help residents with low levels of dementia and those with sight problems. She said plans for the redevelopment were on display for residents before any construction began and no concerns were raised prior to the work starting. She said: 'It is a matter of taste. Some residents rave about it. For others it is a huge departure from where they lived before but not everybody hates it.' Not impressed: Mr White stands outside the newly refurbished flats where he has lived for more than 3 years .
target: Locals say the bizarre refurbishment is more suitable for a playground .
  Vale of Glamorgan Council paid £750,000 for the unusual renovation .
  One resident living near the Penarth home called it an eyesore .
  Council claims colour scheme will help elderly residents with dementia .
  An earlier version of this article stated the Welsh government contributed £500,000 to the 'Legoland' makeover of sheltered accommodation in Penarth. We have been asked to clarify that their funding was in fact support services for the residences.