RBH treating us like 'second class citizens'

Photo: Laura Wild

Brian Lorimer does not want RBH to change the size of his living room window

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Following complaints from tenants living at Barnes Meadow, Littleborough, who are furious with the decision by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to reduce the size of their living room windows, Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild spoke to some of those affected.

Margaret and Brian Lorimer, who have lived in a bungalow on Barnes Meadow for 12 years, said that they are "being treated like second class citizens" by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Mrs Lorimer said that people living in the bungalows were not consulted about the plans; they were just told that the size of their living room window was being reduced.

Mrs Lorimer is disabled and spends the best part of the day in the living room, she struggles to get out and sometimes, for weeks on end, the only way she can see the outside world is by sitting in her chair by the window.

The plans to reduce the size of the window were put forward because some people have complained of a draft in their front rooms. However, Mr and Mrs Lorimer fear that they will lose a lot of light coming into the room, so much so they will have to have a lamp on to read.

Mrs Lorimer said: “It is our bodies that are dead not our brains.

"We also do not want our windows to be changed because I would not be able to get out of a smaller window if there was a fire.

"Getting out is a struggle for me and I like to sit and look outside.

“I am all for things being done for the better, but the money could be spent on other things which we need for the bungalow.

"We have never been asked whether we want this to be done or what we think the money can be spent on.”

The plans mean that all the houses on Barnes Meadow which are owned by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing will have new windows in the bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room. Mrs Lorimer is happy to have the other windows replaced, but not the large window in her living space.

Some people on the street want to have the new windows, and one lady already has. However, others in the area don’t.

When Mrs Lorimer approached local housing manager, Alan Taylor, he told them that he wanted all the houses to have a ‘uniform’ look. Mr Lorimer argued that the bungalows would never look the same because some of them are privately owned.

Mrs Lorimer added: “Rochdale Boroughwide Housing are trying to put us in a tomb before we are dead.

“My family are also really mad about the trouble that RBH have caused us. If they go ahead with this decision to change the window I think I will move out – I have nowhere else to go but I couldn’t stay here.

“We have not been given a choice in this matter. The decision has made me get very worked up, it is killing me, please will somebody help us?”

Irene Howarth, has lived in her bungalow on Barnes Meadow with her disabled son, Jason, for four years. She said: “I love living here but what RBH is doing is really upsetting us. They are just not listening.

“There are no words to describe how much I am against these plans. RBH have made no attempt to sit down and discuss these plans with us. We are being ignored.”

Mrs Howarth said she doesn’t understand why RBH are doing this; she said that in the morning it is lovely to wake up and look out of her living room window at the view.

"I love my home and I feel that RBH will be taking away part of that feeling.

“I would really like for RBH to consider the tenants and be more flexible.”

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/36225/tenants-left-in-the-dark