A council has agreed to patch up more than 180 leaky houses following a long-running campaign supported by the Sheffield Star.

Originally, the council said it was not prepared to do repairs because it thought it would be throwing good money after bad – because although no decisions have been made it is widely expected the houses could soon be demolished.

But following the campaign, the council has agreed to replace the rotten, laeking, window frames in the houses.

Coun Peter MacLoughlin, council cabinet member responsible for housing, said: “We have investigated alternative methods of stopping water getting in and said if we found a cost effective way of doing it we would do it regardless of the long term future of the estates.

“This is what we are doing.”

Angela Smith, Labour councillor for Birley, who has been helping the tenants’ fight, said: “This is brilliant news for people with leaking homes – and is a victory for people power.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to The Star which gave this story the exposure and coverage it deserved.”

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