ST ALBANS: Solar panel row continues (From This Is Local London)

ST ALBANS: Solar panel row continues

2:37pm Tuesday 6th January 2009 in News

Neil Jordan has been forced to halt his wedding plans with Kaye McBlain

The row between residents and St Albans District Council over 'extortionate' roof repair bills appears to be heading towards a legal hearing.

Residents of St Pauls Place off Hatfield Road in St Albans, were outraged to receive a letter from St Albans District Council requesting £11,000 for roof repairs on their leasehold flats in November.

And after disputing the cost of the improvement works, which were due to begin this month, residents are now threatening legal action after the council refused to lessen its demand at a public meeting last month.

Neil Jordan, who was forced to halt his wedding plans because of the cost of the repairs, said: "The residents have since been taking legal advice and have paid for a Leasehold Value Tribunal to look into this case to see if the council is acting fairly.

"The meeting was a shambles from the council's point of view and highlighted its lack of organisation and its contempt for the views of those affected by this decision - it does not appear to be backing down."

The total cost of the works, approximately £230,558, will be split equally between the 16 leaseholders and eight council tenants, with the council paying the latter share.

Residents will have to find an extra £185 a month over the next five years to pay for the work, and they claim it is 'outrageous' to expect people to be able to afford it.

But the council is allowed under the lease terms to make necessary repairs and says it has already been compassionate in stretching the payment over five years, instead of the standard two.

The authority did confirm at a public meeting last month that works would be postponed for further consultation. A second meeting will take place next Wednesday.