RESIDENTS IN TWO HOUSING ESTATES in Peasedown St John are rejoicing this week after a successful campaign to get their roofs re-tiled has paid off.

In August ROK builders, commissioned by Somer, began renewal work in St Johns Close, Frederick and Albert Avenues following the delivery of their leaflet ‘'Pitched Roof Renewals at Albert Avenue, Frederick Avenue, St Johns Close, Peasedown St John”.

The leaflet told residents to remove all items in their loft space and remove all garden ornaments away from their homes.

Despite this, residents were then informed only a select group would be renovated after ROK staff claimed work had already been carried out on the rest in the 1980’s.

Thanks to the efforts of local resident Sheila Coombs and B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley residents received good news last week that Somer Housing had made a u-turn and, after carrying out an inspection of the rest of the properties, have decided to undertake the renovation works to tenants’ roofs after all.

Frederick Avenue resident Sheila Coombs, who spent three hours collecting names for the petition against the original plans, said:

“I am so pleased that Somer have agreed to re-tile our roofs. When I heard of their original plans to only re-tile a select few I was horrified. My roof has been leaking for years and I was convinced that repair work was needed.

Thanks to Cllr Nathan Hartley a meeting was set up between Senior Managers from Somer Housing and ourselves where I was able to present the petition of 100 names in opposition to their plans.

As a result of the meeting the rest of our roofs were inspected and now at long last our roofs are going to be re-tiled.”

In their recent letter to residents Somer acknowledged that their initial plans were not thoroughly accurate because when refurbishment works in the 1980’s were carried out only minor works were undertaken.

Local B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown) said:

“The u-turn from Somer Housing is great news for local residents. This is a perfect example that when local people are committed to working together anything is possible.

As a result of Mrs Coombs’ campaign Somer Housing are now going to be spending a lot more time in future with consultation work before large projects like this happen.

I would like to thank all those people who signed the petition, giving the campaign their support. Somer’s u-turn is a victory for people power.”