Argyllshire and Dunoon News

photo by Archie Fergusson

A COWAL councillor is calling for radical action at Sandbank’s Finbracken housing scheme -  saying that demolition may be preferable to continued expense which changes nothing.

Health
The Semples moved into their ground floor flat in May 2008 and since July of that year have been plagued by dampness in their home - to the extent that Margaret’s health has deteriorated considerably.
The Standard visited the Semples’ home last Friday. Despite the bright, sunny and dry weather, the property’s windows had water running down the inside. And despite the Semples’ very evident desire to keep their home as clean and comfortable as possible, the smell of damp was all too obvious.
Mr Semple told us that the  living room had been painted just six weeks ago - but already, black mould and damp patches were clearly showing through.
There is a similar situation in the couple’s bedroom, where the walls are not just damp but wet to touch, with paint bubbling. Furniture is covered with a thick, fresh coating of blue mould which keeps coming back, no matter how often it is cleaned.
The couple showed photographs of a carpet severely damaged by mould and which was subsequently replaced by ACHA - and advised that several sets of bedding and other household items have also been ruined.
Mrs Semple’s health is poor and, she says, she is “at the end of her tether” as she outlines their experience since coming to live in Finbracken.
“We had been living in a caravan and we were so glad to be offered this house,” she said. “We thought we’d spend the rest of our days here - and now I’m frightened that I will actually die here. I’m sorry we took it.”

Dampness
The Semples became tenants in May 2008 and in July that year they began to experience problems with severe dampness. “We were told that the house had been damp-treated but it clearly hasn’t worked,” said Mrs Semple. “Then, we were told to keep the windows open and the heating on - and ended up with a huge electricity bill! There’s no logic in that anyway.”
Vents were fitted, and may have worked for a while, said the Semples, but they cannot cope with the levels of dampness in the property.
As well as the property’s central heating system, they must also use plug-in halogen heaters to keep the house comfortable - at considerable cost.
The damage to decor, carpets and furniture was bad enough - but when Margaret’s health began to worsen, the situation became untenable, and the Semples knew that a move was required.
However, they have not been offered a transfer - and Margaret now sleeps on a settee in the living room because the bedroom is simply too damp for her to use comfortably.
“I am suffering from repeated chest infections and my doctor says that I need to get a move on health grounds, but ACHA don’t seem to accept this,” said Margaret. “I’m going to end up dying here - my health is deteriorating terribly. It feels like we are fighting a losing battle.”
ACHA had, said Mr Semple, indicated that contractors would attend at the property no later than the middle of January to carry out remedial work to address the dampness. However, by the time the Standard went to press on Thursday February 4, they had received no contact from the company.
The Semples have welcomed the assistance of Cllr Simon, who helped them obtain a home in the first place and who has represented Finbracken residents regarding problems at the development.

Demolition
Cllr Simon first wrote to ACHA’s chief executive, Alastair MacGregor, in November 2008, asking a number of questions about works to be carried out at Finbracken and pointing out that the residents’ living conditions were “unacceptable.” He also asked at that point whether an options appraisal carried out on the scheme had considered demolition.
He was advised that a significant amount of money was to be spent on Finbracken and that this would address the issues.
However, he says now that these appeared to be mostly cosmetic in nature and argues that continuing to spend any more on Finbracken is “like putting lipstick on a pig.”
“I am afraid that I have returned to my original view that there is something much more fundamentally wrong with the Finbracken building,” he said.
“Much more radical action is required - if need be, it is time to pull it down and start again. It is simply not good enough to keep giving it a coat of paint and moving other people in.
“It is absolutely clear that the measures taken have been completely unsuccessful and the dampness is as bad as ever.”
In the Semples’ case, he urged ACHA to take urgent steps to facilitate a move before Mrs Semple’s health deteriorates any further.
However, there is little joy for the Semples in a statement given to the Standard by ACHA chief executive Alastair MacGregor.
“We do not believe that there are major dampness issues within Finbracken,” he said. “There have been some issues of condensation and we installed vents and provided advice to our tenants on the importance of properly heating and venting properties. Any dampness issue reported to ACHA has been repaired.”
He advised that since the housing stock transfer to ACHA, eight Finbracken tenants had raised concerns about dampness in their homes. Independent specialist reports indicated that five of these cases related to condensation, with the other three being due to specific faults.
Regarding the Semples’ property, Mr MacGregor said: “Prior to the Semples moving in, the property was refurbished, including new heating, kitchen and bathroom. 
“The solum was treated and sealed and the walls received the normal dampness treatment that any refurbishment receives. 
“We have inspected the property again on the tenants request and condensation problems were identified and pacifier vents were installed.  As a further precaution the damp proof course was also inspected and found to be in good condition.”
He concluded: “Our continuing advice to the tenant is that the property should be properly heated and vented to reduce the risk of condensation.”

Future
With regards to Mrs Semple’s plea for a move on health grounds, Mr MacGregor said that the association was not in a position to discuss confidential information regarding tenants’ medical situations. He added: “On a general point, medical issues are considered when we consider any allocation or transfer.”
Responding to questions about demolition, Mr MacGregor advised that new kitchens and bathrooms are planned for the Sandbank development during the 2010/11 year.
“ACHA has no plans to demolish Finbracken.
“We very much see Finbracken as having a viable future within our housing stock and with the current planned investment between now and 2015, this will improve the quality of the housing there.”
This is of little comfort to the Semples, who continue to pay crippling electricity bills to heat a cold and damp house in which they feel unable to use their bedroom.
John Semple said: “At the end of the day, this is my wife’s health we are talking about. Something surely has to be done.”