Family’s new home plea over asbestos

A FORMER soldier fighting a legal battle against a housing association has received the backing of Melton Royal British Legion.

Nigel Grant, of Winster Crescent, Melton, is making a desperate plea to the Loughborough-based De Montfort Housing Society to re-home him and his family from their current property which he claims is ‘covered’ in black mould. He is also concerned about levels of asbestos in the property’s flooring.

At Mr Grant’s request the society has made the decision to rip up all the tiles from the dining room, living room, downstairs hallway and cupboard under the stairs. It also plans to rip out the fireplace, which has patches of black mould, and inspect the living room floor for damp.

However, the association has refused to rehome Mr Grant’s family while work is being carried out for a week from January 9, and once work is finished it will not be providing replacement tiles.

The father-of-three, who served his country in Iraq during 2008, fears his family’s health may be affected if they are forced to remain in the property and is working with the Royal British Legion to try to resolve the issue.

He said: “I have researched the affects of asbestos and mould exposure and am very concerned.

“My children suffer from chronic asthma and my four- month-old son Lochlan has developed a bad cough.

“I am doing all I can to ensure my family has somewhere safe to live but feel like I’m just going round in circles and it’s putting an unimaginable amount of stress on myself and my partner Elaine Godfrey.”

Mr Grant has raised his concerns with Melton Council. Environmental protection and safety manager Victoria Clarke said: “Asbestos should not be removed unnecessarily as it can be more dangerous than leaving it in place. We are therefore liaising with the housing association to ensure the work is carried out safely.”

Said Gurmeet Virdi, director of operations for De Montfort Housing Society, said: “We have discussed with the family whether or not they would prefer to stay in a bed and breakfast at our expense on the first night while the tiles are removed and will carry out air tests to check that it is safe before they move back in.”