The protest was against the home's proposed closure

Eleven residents have been told they will have to leave the flats, which are expected to make way for a development for elderly people.

The charity Scope said it was closing the accommodation because it did not fit in to its long-term vision of supported living in the community.

Scope added that it was working with the residents and local authorities to find alternative accommodation.

But those affected, nearly all of whom have cerebral palsy, want to stay at their homes, which they said helped them live independently.

Damon loves his life, he loves having his own front door Anne McCarthy, mother of Damon

Despite the bitter cold, around 30 people, armed with placards and banners, gathered near to the flats in Cyncoed Road on Thursday.

The protest was also supported by Jon Owen Jones MP and Jenny Randerson AM before a closed meeting between residents and Scope took place.

Damon McCarthy has been living there for seven years

Resident Brian Byfield fears that he may have to go back to London, where he was brought up.

"It stinks, I've been here since 1979, this is my life, I go out and about and I work in the community," he said.

Julia Shore, another resident, said: "I can be on my own and I can be with all my friends in the other flats."

'Disappointed'

Her mother Bronwen, said she was "very disappointed" with Scope's plans.

Anne McCarthy, whose 40-year-old son Damon lives at one of the flats, said she was disgusted by the plans.

"We have put in new carpets in this lovely little home, my son and his friends use the local pubs and the local church," she said.

Mrs McCarthy said: "Damon loves his life, he loves having his own front door."

Damon, who is paralysed down his left-hand side, has been at the home for seven years and his mother said it gave him independent living.

"He goes to the rugby, he goes and has his lunch at Headway (brain injury association), he really is having an independent good quality of life," added Mrs McCarthy.

Jean Dolphin, executive director of services at Scope, said: "I met with residents and their families to address and work through their concerns and I intend to continue regular dialogue through the period of transition."

She said that an independent advocacy service was helping to represent residents' views.

The charity issued a statement after the protest saying it was changing the way it delivered services and education, with the aim of more people living in the wider community.

It said the assets from the sale of some existing services were being used to pay for this, and to help people through the changes.