Free insulation caused damage to homes in Chilton; after installation, residents report dampness and other major structural issues.
Durham County Council offered free insulation in 2021. It was solid wall insulation worth up to £9,000. A leaflet promised a “face lift” for homes. It claimed the insulation would save money and stated a 20 year guarantee.
The project received funds from a government program: the Local Authority Delivery program (LAD). This is part of the Green Homes Grant. Over 1,000 homes in the county received the insulation through this program.
Some residents now have major damage affecting both inside and outside their homes. They feel like nobody helps them resolve these issues.
Jean Liddle, age 82, lives on the terrace. She never had dampness before the insulation. Her daughter, Debbie Davison, said it feels like hitting a wall, as dampness covers the walls and one crumbles. Debbie feels people have abandoned them, and Jean Liddle is currently in respite care.
Debbie worries about the home’s condition and questions if her mother can return there. Tolent was the original contractor but went into administration.
Westdale North then finished the job. Now, Westdale North wants to hear resident concerns and says they will stay on site to help.
Durham County Council says they work with residents, calling the situation “complex”. Tolent’s collapse added problems. Residents think action to resolve the issues is too slow.
One anonymous resident feels angry and thinks they are not heard. These homeowners bought their homes and believe their future feels damaged by the walls. They feel this insulation was meant to help them, not cause damage.
Another resident said homes are now warmer and quieter. They worry about needing to remove the insulation shortly. These people trusted council advice about the installation.
Michael Kelleher of Durham County Council spoke, saying the program benefitted many homes. Free efficiency improvements occurred and people reported no major issues in many houses.
The council works with Westdale North and residents to fix reported insulation defects. This includes drop-in sessions for residents and a dedicated email and phone number. Independent inspections, including specialist damp inspections, take place at homes.
The council gave Westdale North a list detailing issues found by residents and reports. It covers Mrs. Liddle’s family issues too. The council also provides advice to guide fixing and avoiding other issues, including problems not resulting from the insulation work.
The collapse of Tolent caused delays. The council understands residents’ frustration and states that Westdale North has addressed many problems already. The council will keep coordinating with them and wants all outstanding issues resolved.
The Department for Energy Security is also helping and working with officials on these issues, having recently learned about the complaints.