Family’s damp flat worries for daughter
Stirling Council called out on two occasions
A Raploch couple are concerned about their daughter’s health due to a recurring problem with dampness at the council property.
Little Ellie McKenna suffers from asthma and despite workmen trying to fix the problem and replastering the property signs of dampness remain, according to her parents Corriena and Stephen.
Mum Corriena told the Observer: “This isn’t good for Ellie’s health. She’s been having problems with her breathing and this situation isn’t helping. I’ve had to up the frequency of her inhalers because of the dampness and mould in her room.”
The couple moved into the ground floor Hazelbank Gardens’ four-in-ablock flat about four years ago with 7-year-old Ellie, sister Tommie-Lee (15) and son Lennon (10).
Since that time, they said, they have experienced split and wet floorboards and dampness on the walls of every room.
Corriena said when they first informed Stirling Council of the problem a contractor and council official came out to the property after the floorboards were lifted.
On that occasion, she said, they shone a torch underneath the floorboards, concluded there was no problem and left.
The McKennas called out the council again and this time work was carried out to try and solve the problem.
But Corriena explained last week: “They put air vents on the outside of the walls. However, there was no improvement. The walls in the bedrooms and living rooms also had to be plastered along with the living room walls.
“Things are better in the living room, but there is a big damp area on the wall in Ellie’s room.
“This has been going on for some time now. I feel the council are dragging their heels.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson pointed out this week that they had carried out “significant work in the property” following concerns raised by the McKennas, including those related to moisture.
He added: “A further investigation has identified a number of potential problems.
“We have had difficulties in arranging mutually acceptable access to the property with the tenant, resulting in repairs being delayed.
“We will continue to work with the tenant to ensure all necessary actions are taken to resolve these issues.”