New home 'a breath of fresh air' after mouldy flat

A resident of a large new social housing block on the Isle of Man has said being able to move out of his old mouldy flat had been "a dream come true".

Paul Cowley, who previously lived in a privately rented flat in Douglas, said he had been forced into sleeping in the living room as a result of it being "full of mould".

The 59-year-old painter has since moved into the James Brown Apartments, in Willaston, Douglas. The new housing venture by Douglas Council is designed to reduce social housing waiting lists.

Cowley said moving into his new apartment was almost like a "breath of fresh air" and his changed living conditions were like "night and day".

All flats in the new complex have two bedrooms.

Central heating can be controlled via a mobile phone app. Cowley said this was a useful way to track spending during tough times.

Before moving, Cowley said his health had deteriorated as a result of his former lodgings.

"I had water coming through my living room ceiling and the bedroom was just full of mould, so unfortunately I was sleeping on the sofa in the living room.

"I suffer with irreversible lung damage [from being] a painter and decorator all my life on the island.

"Where I was living previously, my health was just suffering," he said.

The apartments are named after celebrated Manx politician James Brown, who helped construct a democratically elected House of Keys chamber.

Brown also formed the Isle of Man Times newspaper.

Cowley said he would be able to see more of his young son following his move.

He now works as a full-time artist.

The apartment block is designed to cut 88 applicants from the waiting list for social housing in the Manx capital.

The £11m investment is also hoped to encourage those already in social housing to downsize, thereby freeing up larger properties for those who need them more.

Devon Watson, leader of Douglas Council, said the flats were intended to stand for 100 years.

"My grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have the ability to walk past this building and see a building that's of high quality and decent standards.

"Social housing acts as an act of solidarity, not charity, at a time when we're facing increasing pressures on housing," he said.

The council leader called on the community to come together and build social housing when many residents are "crushed" between low wages and high rents.

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