Retired homeowner claims elderly people are being 'harassed' into getting new insulation in their properties

Ivy Siegfried, 81, has criticised the way the works in her neighbourhood are being conducted - and says it has caused friction among neighbours.

The pensioner says she and other people in the Cowdenknowes area have received letters and had people coming to their door trying to persuade them to get the insulation work done.

Ivy, of Dunlop Street, said: "I know a man who lives around the corner who is 95-years-old and he is being harassed.

"People have been coming to his door and sending him letters."

She has also objected about scaffolding being put in place weeks before work starts.

Ivy said:"The scaffolding is put up a month before they do anything.

"It's bringing the look of the place down."

The Scottish Government is providing the funds for the insulation work through the Home Energy Efficiency Programme.

Inverclyde Council is working with River Clyde Homes to deliver it.

The local authority say they will help homeowners with funding while RCH will pay for their tenants.

But Ivy says the cost for her house would be around £1,300 and if people have cavity insulation, this has to be removed first at a further cost of £600.

She said: "I don't want it.

"If anyone touches my property I will sue them.

"In the four-in-the-block if you live downstairs and you want the insulation and the person who lives above doesn't want it, you can't get it and vice versa."

The Wise Group is the council's partner in the project and they in turn have appointed Everwarm as the contractor.

Council bosses refute the claim that anyone is being forced to agree to the insulation and say the work will reduce energy costs.

A spokesperson said:" The council has been awarded Scottish Government cash to help home owners in Cowdenknowes install external wall insulation (EWI) to their properties.

“This is a really good deal for home owners.

"The work helps to reduce fuel bills and makes their homes cheaper to heat.

"Homeowners do need to pay a contribution towards the work but this is usually less than 25 per cent of the final bill.

“No one is being harassed and no one is being forced to take part in this scheme.

"It is entirely up to homeowners if they want to take part or not.

“All homeowners do get a visit from a member of our Home Energy Advice Team.

"This is because it is important to explain the benefits of the scheme and to highlight any grants that the home owner might be eligible for.”