By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 11:50, Monday, 08 December 2008

PENSIONERS and families in Caldbeck are fearing a colder winter than most after a housing association fitted interior doors to the outside of their homes.

Campaigner: Councillor Duncan Fairbairn. left, in Caldbeck with Green Close resident Gary Amos

Cumbria County Councillor, Duncan Fairburn, is calling for action after a “series of procrastinations” has seen householders left with damp floors and icy drafts in their Green Close homes.

Pensioner Dorothy Wood, 76, has seen her electricity bill soar since the doors were fitted by the owners, Home Group, in April this year.

She said: “It’s because of the drafts coming from under the door. It’s horrendous.

“The doors are substandard – I’ve had two joiners out and they say the same thing.”

She has now enlisted the help of Age Concern to help her deal with Home after her own contact left her stressed.

Phillip Monkhouse, 28, rented his home from the social landlords for three years.

He said: “These are interior doors. They have not been treated. It’s just soft wood, so every time it rains the water gets in.

“This weekend it rained so much the door wouldn’t open or shut. It’s not a good fire escape.

“We spent all of Sunday with the heater in the hall trying to dry it out.

“We’ve never been able to finish putting down flooring in our hall way because it’s so damp.”

Eight houses are affected and residents say despite making a catalogue of complaints over the last seven months, nothing has been done. Mr Monkhouse, an agricultural worker, added: “I wouldn’t like to say how many times I’ve tried to get them out.

“When they do come, if you’re not at home they leave a card and you have to go right back to the beginning making a new complaint.”

Another retired resident said her home was left with a gaping hole in the front door for three months before Home fitted a letter box.

She said: “I sit and watch my curtains moving as the wind gets through the gaps round the door.”

Mr Fairburn, who represents the district, said: “Home need to stop the procrastination and get on with the job. It’s just not good enough for people to have to live with damp and wind coming through their homes.”

A Home Group spokeswoman said the most recent contact they have on their logs regarding the problems with doors in Caldbeck is June 24.

She said: “If there are any problems residents should call our Housing Advice Centre and we will take steps to investigate.”

Last week it was announced homes in Allerdale would benefit from a £45 million scheme headed up by newly formed Cumbria Housing Partners consortium made of Home, Copeland Homes, Derwent & Solway Housing Association, Impact Housing Association and Two Castles Housing Association.

The associations have joined to deliver savings through the joint procurement of materials and labour, savings used to improve homes.