SCAFFOLDING erected at the rear of a block of flats is to be removed after The Comet questioned the council concerned. After being put up two years ago, we were told that no work had been carried out on the building for the past 12 months, but that taxpay

SCAFFOLDING erected at the rear of a block of flats is to be removed after The Comet questioned the council concerned.

After being put up two years ago, we were told that no work had been carried out on the building for the past 12 months, but that taxpayers were still shelling out to keep the eyesore in place.

Alan Dennis, of Foxfield, Stevenage, lives in the shadow of the block in Shephall Way and contacted The Comet after he had reached the end of his tether.

He said: "The scaffolding has been enclosed by plastic sheeting which makes horrendous cracking noises whenever it is windy and it is not conducive to getting a night's uninterrupted sleep."

He added: "I understood [the scaffolding and metal staircases] were erected to enable the stairs and lift serving the flats to be closed off during refurbishment and repairs to the flat.

"This was about two years ago but the metal staircases have been blocked off for use for at least 12 months and no remedial work has been carried out on the flats.

"The hiring of the scaffolding and metal staircases must be costing the Stevenage ratepayers a small fortune."

The Comet contacted Stevenage Borough Council and Nigel Holder, interim chief executive of Stevenage Homes, said: "We are very sorry to hear that the plastic sheeting has been keeping residents awake at night. We will remove the scaffolding and plastic sheeting whilst we consider the way forward with this project. We will be consulting residents about the options available to us."

A Stevenage Borough Council spokesman claimed that as part of a contract, the cost of the scaffolding is commercially sensitive information and they are unable to provide a figure.