A MORPETH couple are facing a second successive Christmas away from home.
Ian and Kit Johnson's Collingwood Terrace home was devastated by flooding in September last year and they moved to alternative accommodation in Stobhill a month later.
Work was carried out on the Castle Morpeth Housing (CMH) property, which is a l
isted building, and they expected to move back early in 2009.
But there was an issue of dampness. CMH put in a planning application last month for damp proofing, lime rendering and new skirting boards for the house and is expecting a decision on January 12.
An angry Mr Johnson is dismayed at the length of time the process has taken.
"We are somewhere we don't want to be and it's very frustrating as we were told our return would be in six months tops," he said.
"The refurbishment works were all done and dusted, but then workers came in with damp metres and they flashed up so everything had to be ripped out which we couldn't believe.
"We are totally frustrated because the concrete floors and the half stone by the fireplace should have been taken out so the house could be dried properly, they are just like a sponge when saturated.
A CMH spokeswoman said that after assessing the initial damage following the flood, its contractor provided a scope of works to the listed buildings officer at Northumberland County Council, and the authority made a number of recommendations which it was obliged to carry out. Following a further meeting between the contractor and the listed buildings officer once the dampness was found, it was agreed that a formal application for listed building consent would be submitted.
"We are sorry to hear that Mr and Mrs Johnson are concerned about refurbishment work to their flood-damaged property," she added.
"We have been keeping them updated on developments and are always available to talk through any concerns they may have."
