Trust must be re-established between residents and owners at the complex for a new management company to succeed said Greg Hurt, whose mother Joyce, 93, is a resident.

Mr Hurt, a retired social worker with a background in conflict resolution, has worked across the world for bodies including the UN.

He discussed the situation at the Cherry Orchard with owners and accountants. He said: ’I felt the whole process started off about service charges and moved to a stand off with very little communication.

’The tribunal reinforced the "them" and "us" mentality, I was quite surprised, it was accelerated by the system with no regard for the people in the apartments.

’You see something repeat itself where there are people and conflict, the system takes over and you get victims and both sides lose.’

He added: ’They had a mediator, but it was a local businessman, you’ve got to have someone neutral. The wrong line was taken at the tribunal then at the second tribunal it was followed and compacted and there is going to be a third tribunal.

’We have got to think about what is retrievable. We need to re-establish trust. If they establish a new management company it cannot be the same as before, it needs to be tarred with a new brush.’

He said residents, most elderly, are distressed by the situation and need support.

He’s in discussion with Southern Community Initiatives about the group’s possible involvement, supporting residents and offering advice.

He said: ’It’s better than it was, it’s going to be okay. Things are retrievable.

’I hope the owners are genuinely wanting to resolve things.

’If you come out of the whole thing and deal with it as a vignette in real time there’s a real possibility of resolution, but do not get lawyers involved.’