A COUPLE expecting their first child say they are living a “miserable experience” at town centre flats.
Natasha Richardson and Daniel McBride say living at Ibbotson Flats has left them at breaking point after a spate of problems.
They have lived at the Leeds Road flats for two-and-a-half years but say the last month has been unbearable after water leaks and an ant infestation.
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing say some repairs have been carried out but have pledged to go back and check for other problems.
Ibbotson flats and the nearby Lonsbrough flats are earmarked to be demolished to make way for the proposed Tesco superstore development.
Miss Richardson is expecting the couple’s first baby in three months and says much of the baby clothing they have bought has been ruined by the water leak.
The 21-year-old said: “For the last month we have had nothing but hassle.
“We’ve had leaks and an ant infestation and we’re stuck in the middle of it all.
“We’re fine about the flats being knocked down but until then we are stuck here and we’ve just had enough of it.
“It’s such a mess here and I’m being fobbed off whenever I try to get someone to help us.
“It is just miserable living here.”
Mr McBride, 24, is due to have his leg amputated in late October after being injured in a bike crash earlier this year.
Miss Richardson is his sole carer and is six months pregnant.
She added: “We just want somebody to come out, look at the problems and sort them out.
“I’m at breaking point and have just had enough.
“We’d all be happy to move out because it seems there is problem after problem now.
“But in the meantime we shouldn’t have to live in these conditions.”
A KNH spokesman said: “Day-to-day repairs are still being carried out as normal at Ibbotson Flats, and the repairs and checks to Mr Peel and Ms Richardson’s flat were carried out last month, soon after they reported the flood damage to us. We’ve had no other reports of further problems since then, but we’ve asked our repairs contractor to revisit the flat.
“Although council properties are covered by buildings insurance, this does not cover the contents of our tenants’ homes. For this reason, we advise everyone to take out home contents insurance and have a scheme specifically designed with our tenants’ needs in mind.
“Longer-term improvements such as replacing kitchens and bathrooms are not being carried out because of the proposed demolition of the flats. Although there are no definite plans or dates at this time, we have held two consultation days since the Council first proposed to demolish the flats and both were well attended.
“At present there is nothing more we can tell the residents, but we will keep them up to date with further news as we receive it, as we have done all along.”
