Kirklees NeighbourhoodHousing backs down over ban on personal possessions in communal areas incouncil flats.

12.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Oct 2006

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing backs down over ban on personal possessions in communal areas in council flats

Residents delight as Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing backs down over ban on personal possessions in communal areas in council flats.

Local residents were delighted to hear that Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing has backed down over their ban on personal possessions in communal areas in council flats. (1)

Councillor John Smithson, Lib Dem, Almondbury ward says "Common sense has at last prevailed and residents are going to be able to keep the communal areas looking like their homes and not prisons. There is no evidence that everyday homely possessions such as plants and pictures cause problems. Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing were over-zealous in their interpretation of the new fire regulations. (2) Clearly materials that pose a real risk such as bags of rubbish or broken furniture must be removed as this can cause problems for other residents. Residents must be relieved that they do not have to remove their personal possessions and turn the space outside their homes into a "sterile" space without character or warmth. I applaud the decision of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing."