BRON AFON leaseholders in Cwmbran have hit out after receiving bills up to £27,000 for repairs to their building.

Residents in Monmouth House have received bills for repairs to be done to the building that will include the roof, windows and exterior cladding being added to the building. There are 56 flats in the building, 35 of which are leased by Bron Afon, while 21 are privately owned.

Last week the Free Press reported that Bron Afon leaseholders in Pontypool were billed £8,000 for improvement works.

Della and Robert Burns, age 74 and 79 respectively, have been handed a bill for £17,200 and have concerns about how they will afford the amount.

The couple have lived in the building for 25 years and Mr Burns had a stroke at Christmas, which they put down to the stress of receiving the bill.

Mrs Burns said: "It's been going on for two years. We are not arguing against windows and roof improvements but against the installation of cladding as it is not necessary.

"We haven't got the money. We would have to pay £50 a month and have an attachment to the property, but a solicitor advised against this as it would leave a debt to my family."

Mrs Burns took the decision to write to MP Paul Murphy, AM Lynne Neagle, The Welsh Assembly, and the Prime Minister.

She felt that they were being ignored so she has now written to the European Court of Human Rights and is waiting for a response.

Widower, Anne Loveland, 76, has been billed for £26,000. Although she was originally not included in the payment as her lease says that she does not have to pay for repairs.

She explained: "Bron Afon have changed the wording of the job so that I am included as they are calling it repairs through improvements.

"There's no way that I can afford that. I can't even move out as I would not be able to sell the property with this bill attached to it."

Flat owner, Patrick Evans, who rents his property out, said: "I thought I have planned my retirement well but Bron Afon have kicked me in the teeth.

"I'm perfectly happy to pay for repairs which are needed but not the cladding. This is the worse recession in years and is not the time to do this."

Bron Afon's head of asset management and investment, Peter Howell, said: "We have taken advice from structural engineers. They have recommended that we apply the cladding to repair the concrete structure and protect it from deterioration.

"We appreciate that leaseholders are concerned about the bills they have received. This is why we offer a range of repayment options, which are happy to discuss with individual leaseholders.

"It is true that in early discussions with leaseholders, Bron Afon staff used a variety of terms to describe the works and we acknowledge that this was confusing for leaseholders.

"For the sake of clarity, we have sought independent legal advice and we are confident that the works are repairs.

"The estimated bills have been calculated strictly in accordance with the terms of the individual leases and so will the final bills.

"Our leasehold management team is more than happy to talk with individual leaseholders about any concerns they may have."