NIHE Slammed On Delayed Repairs

Tenants in a Co Antrim suburb have hit out at claimed delays in routine maintenance at their NI Housing Executive homes.

Glengormley's Glenvarna housing estate residents are 'up in arms' over the waiting time for a Housing Executive maintenance scheme.

A local politician, former Mayor and now Chairman of the Council's Planning Committee, Nigel Hamilton (pictured) 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%, in a mix of flats, houses and pensioner dwellings.

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."

(BMcC)