Several hundred people turned out in Mount Eagles on Sunday to hear about a pilot scheme that could solve the ongoing cavity wall insulation problems of many householders.
As we previously reported, homes in the development checked for insulation last year received a 100 per cent fail rate following complaints of damp, mould and condensation.
Members of the Mount Eagles Ratepayers’ Association and the Mount Eagles Drive Action Group have been lobbying for action on the issue for some time, even taking their fight to Stormont.
But developments have taken place recently and the association called the meeting to share the news with residents who have suffered from the lack of insulation.
Details of a Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme scheme were revealed at the meeting, where residents heard that the works undertaken in the pilot scheme would be completed by this September.
The scheme is offering £800 towards the costs of the work to at least 100 affected homes. Those eligible to apply include: a single person household with an income of less than £22,000; a couple or single parent family with an income or pension of less than £30,000; and single people or a couple aged over 70 with income of less than £30,000.
“The meeting was very successful,” said Gerard Daye of the association. “We had around 200 people turn up to hear the details and the local political representatives also made themselves available on the day.
“We would like to thank the parish at Christ the Redeemer for allowing us use of the hall for what is a very important issue in the district.”
“We are continually working on this issue in terms of criteria, affordability and other factors,” added James McCabe of the association.
“We have made submissions to the Department for Social Development also. What we need now is for people in Mount Eagles affected by insulation and damp issues, or with cold and hard-to-heat homes, to email us their names, address and phone numbers so we can ascertain the true extent of the problems, even if it falls outside the criteria of the scheme.”
Brian Heading of the SDLP praised the residents’ group for its consistent campaigning.
“It’s to the credit of the Mount Eagles Ratepayers’ Association that this scheme has come about,” he said. “They continue tirelessly to highlight the need for quality heating insulation in the district. The meeting on Sunday was very successful and I look forward to seeing successful outcomes for the families involved.”
If your home is affected, email James and Gerard on mounteaglesratepayers@hotmail.co.uk
