PENSIONERS were left ‘cooking in their own home’ after scaffolding was kept up around their house for nearly two weeks after work finished.

David and Linda Brittain, of Ivar Gardens, Lychpit, had scaffolding fitted to their house on July 18 to have solar panels fitted to their roof by energy company Eon.

However, the work meant the couple could not open their windows.

They were told by the company carrying out the work, Premier Scaffolding, contracted by PVF Scaffolding, that the network of poles would come down a few days after the work was completed on July 20.

However, it was only on August 2 the poles came down, during one of the hottest periods of the year, with temperatures outside nearly reaching 30℃.

David, 70, said: “During the heatwave, it really was a true nightmare to be inside the house as it was such a sweatbox. It was like an oven, and it was at its warmest in the bedroom, where it was almost impossible to sleep as it was too hot.

“We were under the impression that the scaffolding would be taken down a few days after the work was completed. It shouldn’t have taken two weeks to come down.”

A statement from Premier Scaffolding said: “Premier Scaffolding are a local dedicated team of experts who strive to give 100 per cent satisfaction to its customers. We always advise on the full details of our construction tower, the expected time scales and procedures so that we may complete contracted work to the customer’s required specifications. We do rely on our customers to make their own arrangements around any inconveniences that are inadvertently caused by the temporary scaffolding, and take a responsibility towards them.

“We were not informed of any concerns of this particular contract during our time on site, which was fulfilled as required and to all accounts their full satisfaction. We are sorry to hear that there was discomfort suffered, and hope that the customers are safe and well at this time.”

David added: “We thought about going to a hotel, but we have a dog to think about, and so even though it was extremely uncomfortable, we couldn’t leave.”

It was after that weekend on Saturday, 28 July that people from Premier Scaffolding came to move the network of poles to allow the windows to open.