Homes overhauled after tenants unite - The Redditch Standard

Homes overhauled after tenants unite

Redditch Editorial 13th Nov, 2014 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

COUNCIL homes which were allowed to fall into a state of disrepair have been revamped after residents joined forces to protest.

People living in the three Sedgley Close bungalows, which were the last houses to be built by Redditch Borough Council in 1994, teamed up to complain about the issues at a PACT meeting.

The Abbeydale homes had walls which needed regularly tacking back together, poor ventilation leading to mould and sky-high utility bills because of the lack of insulation.

After raising the issues, which also included not having dropped kerbs on the road, with councillors including Andy Fry at the residents’ meeting, they have seen action taken.




Their properties have now been externally cladded and ventilation installed by the borough council, while Worcestershire County Council has provided dropped kerbs.

Coun Fry told the Standard: “Repairs-wise they had fallen under the radar of the council and a lot of work needed to be done.


“If it wasn’t for the people coming to the Abbey PACT meeting these problems would still be under the radar and the repairs wouldn’t have been done.

“I was horrified when I leaned on the wall and it moved. This is a genuine success story for PACT.”

Bob Mansell moved in three years ago and said his gas and electricity bills were 50 per cent higher than in his previous home which was a three-bedroom two-storey property.

Muriel Maxwell added: “It is a lot warmer and the noise has been deadened. All the bills are going to be cheaper and the ventilation on the roof has helped no end.”

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