‘I’m at breaking point’: Market Harborough woman describes impact of ongoing building work at social housing property
A woman living in a social housing property in Market Harborough claims she has been left living in unsafe and increasingly unmanageable conditions due to unfinished repairs and improvement works.
Debbie Revel lives in a house in Stuart Road, owned and operated by social housing association Platform Housing.
The woman, who has been there for more than a decade, claims the state of both the front and back gardens is impacting her mental health.
The 65-year-old said: “I’m at breaking point. I just feel unsafe here.”
The property’s shed had an asbestos roof, which was removed by contractors. But Debbie says the structure has been left exposed and a temporary tarpaulin repeatedly blowing away, with bricks falling into the garden.
Both the front and back gardens have had excavation work as part of replacing lead water pipes. There is a large hole in the back garden and the new pipe is still awaiting connection.
Debbie explained: “I can’t go out to the back because of the holes and how uneven it is, and the bricks falling from the shed.
“I just feel like I’m on edge all the time.”
Lisa Fairlie, director of housing operations at Platform Housing, said: “Our customers’ safety and wellbeing are always a priority, and we’re sorry to hear that Ms Revel is feeling worried and distressed.
“We take the concerns raised seriously and have contacted her directly to understand the current situation, discuss any outstanding work and agree on the next steps. We will keep her updated and work with her to ensure she has the support she needs.”
Images seen by the Harborough Mail show rubble in the front garden, no roof on the shed and a plastic board over a hole in the back.
Debbie added: “I just feel like I’ve got no one to fight my corner.
“It’s the not knowing because your mind’s on overtime.”