A YOUNG mum has left hospital with her new born daughter and is now home in one of Thurrock's blighted damp and mouldy flats. 

Together with her three year-old daughter the woman known as Ms X as she has asked to remain anonymous for personal reasons, says she fears for her children's health and says Thurrock Council appears to show scant concern for the situation. The council is aware of her real name and location.

She lives in Gooderham House, one of three tower blocks in Chadwell St Mary, where the council is currently spending around six million pounds to put in new ground source heat pumps. 

The project, says the council, will dramatically enhance the blocks' energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and will help combat mould. 

Work started in July but Ms X fears it will not solve the problem and the flats are fundamentally flawed and are beyond salvation. 

The council appears determined to keep the flats at Chadwell – but it has already conceded that other high rise properties it owns, including three tower blacks in Blackshots, are beyond saving and need to be pulled down. 

Over the past few years Thurrock Nub News has reported on a number of the flats at Chadwell where residents are living in shocking conditions. 

The mould and running water in Ms X's flat are symptomatic of problems other residents have suffered. 

Nor is it a new problem. Other have problems with badly fitting windows that scream and whistle in the wind - we reported on one particularly bad flat as far back as February 2020.

After many reports across several tower block sites in the borough, in December two years ago, Thurrock Nub news editor Neil Speight delivered a damning indictment of the blocks, asking 'Where is the compassion?'. 

And it is the lack of compassion that concerns Ms X as she begins life at home with her new child. 

She questions the humanity of the council, telling Nub News: "I am contacting you to raise concerns about the damp and mould issue in Chadwell flats. 

"I have raised concerns many times with Thurrock Council with the situation and they just say there isn't anything they can do and that they ask me to wipe my windows down from all the water and wipe away damp and mould, which I can do but it's not healthy. 

"I just want something to be said so the word get outs there on this matter there are still problems. I would like to see more people to come forward to make a stand for something to be done, for not just me but for many people in and around Thurrock." 

Cllr Luke Spillman, cabinet member for housing, seems impervious to her story. 

Asked about her situation, he said: "Thurrock Council is investing significant money in improving the Chadwell flats. That includes installing a new cutting edge, highly efficient and environmentally friendly heating and hot water systems which will mean residents an all flats should see 40%-50% savings on their heating bills. 

"Additionally, all flats in the three blocks are set to benefit from new insulation on all exterior walls, new windows in all flats, a new door entry system and additional works, decorating and the installation of a new ventilation system in all communal areas. 

"While the current heating works take place there are resident liaison officers from both the council and Kensa, the company installing the new heating system, based permanently on site to help and advise residents throughout the period of the works, that includes taking reports of damp and mould as well as helping with any heating or fuel poverty related issues tenants might be facing. 

"We have worked extremely hard to make sure that residents know exactly what is happening now, what works and improvements are upcoming and have access to voice and report any concerns they might have directly to us."