EXCLUSIVE: Elderly Dundee tenants left freezing because of delayed insulation project
A public meeting was held on Friday with more than 40 tenants from Logie in attendance wanting some assurances
Last updated 7th Mar 2023
Tay News has been told there is a cold homes crisis in Scotland's oldest council scheme, Logie.
More than 40 tenants - mostly elderly - attended a public meeting on Friday organised by Councillor Fraser Macpherson
The meeting concentrated on the urgent need for insulation for those living in the housing scheme.
There were also two senior housing managers in attendance, who gave some assurances.
Councillor Macpherson revealed to us his ward only has one completed External Wall Insulation Programme (Tullideph).
His main issue is the lack of progress with insulation for other parts of his ward like Logie and Corso/Abbotsford schemes.
What is the External Wall Insulation Programme?
Dundee City Council has been working with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to carry out a programme of works to fit insulation to blocks in areas across the city over the last decade.
And so far, external wall insulation has been installed at more than 5000 properties.
Its aim is to help homes become more energy efficient by reducing the heat loss through walls so our fuel bills are a bit cheaper.
"People are entitled to live in warm houses"
He said "residents rightly feel that they're entitled to live in warm houses and having poor insulation is really not good news.
"We're very anxious to hear the council move forward on that as soon as possible.
The council houses in Logie are 103-years-old.
Councillor Macpherson has said this makes the insulation in the properties very poor.
He added "Its particularly concerning given the cost of energy these days and that many of the residents are elderly.
"Its not just these particular estates, there are others, where insultation really needs to be improved as soon as possible".
Homes in Logie don't fit the criteria
Dundee City Council confirmed the properties in Logie are in a conservation area so external wall insulation similar to that which has been installed successfully in other parts of the city is not suitable.
A spokesperson for the local authority has said: “Alternative internal insulation solutions are now being evaluated and funding has been identified for work at these properties in the Housing Capital Plan.
“So far, the council has installed external wall insulation at more than 5000 properties, and while Covid-19 significantly delayed the insulation programme we are working hard to recover from this.”