Disappointment after bed bugs cancel Christmas fete

Lorraine Harmsworth said that Priory View has not been decorated since the Queen came to open it

Residents of an independent older persons' living scheme have had their Christmas fete cancelled after bed bugs were found.

Priory View in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 and received awards in the same year.

Resident Lorraine Harmsworth, 69, said "everybody was really, really looking forward" to the Christmas fete which had been planned for Saturday.

In a statement, Central Bedfordshire Council, which owns and manages the development, said it "will continue to work closely with pest-control specialists, arranging all necessary treatment visits to resolve the issue."

Councillor Steven Watkins, executive member for housing, said: "The first report of possible bed bugs in a single property was received on 17 November, and our maintenance team attended on 20 November.

"When a second property reported concerns on 24 November and an infested headboard was discovered in the internal bin store on 25 November, we took building-wide action the same day. Bed bug traps for every apartment were delivered on 27 November.

"We have written to all residents informing them of the situation and giving advice to follow, and we will continue to provide clear, practical guidance and updates throughout the process."

Queen Elizabeth II talks with resident Pauline Stainsby as she views her home during her tour of Priory View in April 2017

Mrs Harmsworth, who has lived at Priory View since it opened, said she was proud to have moved in, but she now feels "quite ashamed" to be living there.

She described it as "dirty" and felt that residents were not being told the extent of the bed bug problem, which she said was "terrible".

Carole Powell, 75, who has been living at Priory View for more than four years, said: "We don't want to get nibbled in bed [by the bugs], and we don't want spots of blood over our blankets and sheets."

She said she had bought her flat and "gave the council a big lump sum of money, and I am being treated like this".

Mrs Powell said that 10 days ago she reported bed frames, mattresses and pillows in the communal bin area, and the council "must have known then what was going on".

She added that her apartment still had not been fumigated.

She continued: "This is supposed to be assisted living. The Queen opened this place, and it is supposed to be a flagship for the rest of the country."

Carole Powell said that "every time we report a problem, they don't do anything about it, and this is a serious problem"

Resident of five years, Marilyn Burke, 77, said the communication was poor.

"No one has told us anything....I just think we are being treated like children," she said.

She added that residents had to do their own deep cleaning, but "we have been given bug catchers to put by our beds and sofas".

"We pay our council tax and rents, and we want the job done properly", she continued.

"No one is happy anymore. You were proud to say you live in Priory View."

Lorraine Harmsworth said residents were very angry that the restaurant, coffee bar and shop on the site had all gone because they were not making enough money

Mrs Harmsworth said that Central Bedfordshire Council needed to "take a fresh look at Priory View and listen to what people are telling them".

She said her room had been fumigated once, but was originally told it would be done three times.

"I think they [the bed bugs] will spread".

Councillor Watkins said: "We will continue to work closely with pest-control specialists, arranging all necessary treatment visits to resolve the issue. This matter is receiving immediate attention as we take the wellbeing and safety of our residents extremely seriously and remain committed to supporting them throughout this process."

He said he was disappointed to hear "that some residents are unhappy with aspects of the wider service, including cleanliness, facilities, and communication".

He added: "We take this feedback seriously and will look into these concerns."