ANGER OVER HOMES

Published 30 Sep 2009 15:49

OUTRAGED tenants are living in limbo as their move-in date for a new development is delayed week after week.

A pensioner and the mum of a disabled teen are among those raging at the broken promises that have left them high and dry.

After they were given a week's notice in August, over 20 council tenants from Erskinefauld Road in Linwood packed up their belongings to be ready for the move to the Sanctuary housing development on Brediland Road.They are still waiting.

Several vulnerable tenants told the Gazette how the stress was affecting their health, as they stood surrounded by piled-up boxes and pieces of furniture.

Mum-of-two Angela O'Donnelly, 45, said: "I was to move on August 21.

"I was given a week's notice so I made sure I packed everything up, I got my carpets taken away and the wardrobes taken apart.

"That was over five weeks ago. This place is just in uproar. The stuff we packed in boxes is all emptied onto the floor."

One man concerned for his elderly brother-in-law called the developers last Thursday. He told the Gazette: "They had said it was more or less definite, they'd get the keys that day. But when I phoned first thing they said, 'We're very sorry'. They're talking about next week now."

Linda Brown, 50, said: "I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome who's 19 and he isn't coping with this. If you move anything he goes loopy, he needs routine. I've not been well myself with the stress of it.

"On August 24, 25 of us signed for our houses and they asked us to pay a full week's rent in advance. Because they have built-in wardrobes in the new houses, I put my wardrobe in the bin. Everyone did the same - there's so much stuff out now by the bins it's dangerous for the weans.

"It's about time they got us out of here - it's ridiculous."

Another tenant, Gus McDougall, 74, said: "I'm so stressed out - I was in hospital for a cancer operation and I'm not very well.

"They've kept me living out of a box for five weeks and haven't had the decency to come see me or explain to me what's happening.

"They said to me I'd have my keys by the 22nd of September so I cancelled my landline and telly. I've had to get a mobile - I have never had one in my life before, I never wanted one, it's too expensive.

"They are treating us with contempt. People are sleeping on their floors - they took their beds apart for the move. People got rid of their cookers and fridges because they're moving into a new house. We're left with nothing.

"It's beyond a joke, they're just messing us about and giving us no explanation. If there's something wrong they should let us know. They just keep saying they're sorry, there's nothing they can do."

The 190 new homes are being built to replace 23 blocks of flats.

Gordon Laurie, Sanctuary Scotland's managing director, said: "We share our residents' frustrations that their move to new homes on Brediland Road has been delayed following remediation works on site.

"We would like to assure residents that we are working very closely with the council to give them all the information they need to allow them to issue the necessary certificates for the houses to be occupied. "We apologise to our residents for the delay and will continue to keep in close contact with them whilst we finalise a moving in date as soon as possible."

Tweet

This article appeared in The Gazette 30 Sep 09

Follow @thegazettepaper

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.