'WE FEEL LIKE THE FORGOTTEN ESTATE'
Published Date:
13 August 2008
RESIDENTS in a Glengormley housing estate are 'up in arms' over the waiting time for a Housing Executive maintenance scheme, a local politician has claimed.
The DUP's Nigel Hamilton said tenants in the Glenvarna area are furious at the Executive over what he called "old and rotten window frames" which he claims need to be replaced with new double glazed windows.
"The scheme which has concerned so many residents is now put back until 2010-11 and may not even be introduced at that stage," said Mr Hamilton.
"I am disappointed for many residents and share their frustration, especially when I see the state of numerous windows in the estate.
"The answer to the delayed scheme in Glenvarna is to paint the window frames of those properties whose tenants have complained and work round an approved number of properties. What has angered so many residents is that they see this as being too little too late. They feel that Queen's Park, Monkstown and New Mossley have all had recent schemes undertaken and Glenvarna is being left behind," he added.
According to the former Mayor, the Executive continues to own about 68 properties out of 210 in the estate, some 32 per cent, in a mix of flats, houses and pensioner dwellings.
Rosemary Lennox, who has lived in Glenvarna for the past eight years said residents in the area are angry about the current situation.
"I've been complaining for the last four years about my windows," she said. "Eventually I decided to put my own new windows in two weeks ago.
"The scheme is getting put back and back and back to 2012. That's if we are lucky.
"It seems to be all the other estates that are getting things done. We really feel like the forgotten estate. I'm not the only one in the area who is angry about this. There are a lot of people who are angry about it."
Added councillor Hamilton: "Rosemary had heating installed and the unit at the rear of her property was so badly fitted that it has blocked her kitchen window from opening. "This is absolutely disgraceful. It presents this elderly lady with the added danger of no escape should she require to use her rear kitchen window in the case of fire at her home. I have taken this up with the Housing Executive."
A spokeswoman for the Housing Executive said: "The Housing Executive would normally replace windows, where this is required, as part of a major improvement scheme, otherwise windows are serviced, or replaced if necessary, through our external maintenance programme. We are planning to include Glenvarna properties in the external maintenance programme for 2009/2010, subject to available funding, and in the meantime will continue to carry out repairs as these are needed."
The full article contains 469 words and appears in Newtownabbey Times newspaper.
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Last Updated:
13 August 2008 11:17 AM
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Source:
Newtownabbey Times
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Location:
Glengormley, NEWTOWN ABBEY