MP vows to solve ECO homes chaos

Chad reported in September how homes on Newfall Street now had disconnected drainpipes, windows which no longer opened and dangerously exposed metal work.

Unfortunately the building company which was subcontracted to oversee the work has refused to return and complete it after not being paid.

But the scale of the problem is worse than it initially appeared as Ms De Piero has since been contacted by 20 more residents in nearby Newcastle Street with similar problems.

Gary Barfoot said he was ‘absolutely furious.’ He added: “In all my life living in this house I have never once had a problem with damp. Never.

“Yet as soon as this cladding went up, green mould appeared on the outside of my house and black damp inside and now the wallpaper has started to peel off. It cannot be a coincidence.”

Kevin Pottage said: “It has been a disaster from day one and since the insulation foam was put in I have had cracks appear by my door and windows.”

The Government’s Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) initiative was introduced to reduce the UK’s energy consumption and support people living in fuel poverty.

The scheme is ultimately the responsibility of energy suppliers and Ms De Piero is now trying to establish which of the big six companies are to blame for the latest shoddy building work.

Earlier this week she wrote to Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, demanding that a satisfactory solution be found.

Ms De Piero said: “In the meantime, I would urge anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation to speak up and get in touch.”