Circle 33 leaves its tenants in the cold say Lib Dems

4.58.16pm GMT Fri 6th Feb 2009

Cllr Jonathan Chatfield and tenant Joe Hart examine draughty windows

With heating costs going through the roof one of the country's leading housing associations - Circle 33 - is leaving its tenants in The Meadows in Impington in the cold say Liberal Democrats.

Circle 33 tenants at Sunset Square are putting up with gaps around their windows and external doors despite numerous requests for improvements.

Local Lib Dem councillor Jonathan Chatfield first took up the plight of the tenants nearly two years ago. He said:

"You can feel the wind through the gaps around the window and doorframes. The frames are rotten and gaps let in the wind and rain.

"Despite numerous approaches to Circle 33 by me and the tenants the housing association which is one of the biggest in the country has done nothing to rectify the situation.

"Given the current emphasis on environmental protection and global warming, these basic issues of energy conservation and efficiency should be addressed without any delay."

Councillor Chatfield says:

• Tenants first contacted him in March 2006

• The houses are environmentally unfriendly - cold and draughty

• Windows and doors are rotted and gaps let in the wind and rain

• Circle 33 refuse to take action on these windows and doors

• Surveyors have missed appointments and other maintenance workers have failed to turn up when due

• Residents have had to take annual leave from work and then no-one has arrived on the agreed day

• When they do arrive they agree the work necessary, but Circle 33 then fail to carry out the work

• No sign of interest by Circle 33 in properly insulating its properties while leaving its tenants with higher than necessary heating bills.