A COUNCILLOR has slammed housebuilder Persimmon and asked whether they are waiting for someone to die before they take an issue around missing fire safety barriers seriously.

Thousands of homes across the country, including hundreds in Cornwall, built by the developer are believed to be missing vital fire safety barriers.

Persimmon has admitted that it did not fit the barriers in some properties and has vowed to undertake inspections and fittings where necessary.

But weeks after the issue was first highlighted and then featured on the BBC Watchdog programme one resident of a Persimmon property in Truro says she is still waiting to hear from the firm.

Julie Elvin said she had contacted the firm and was told it was carrying out inspections but did not have enough staff to contact everyone at once.

Mrs Elvin, who has lived in her home for just under ten years, said her neighbours had had an inspection which found they did not have the barriers.

She said: “This is disgusting – the answer from Persimmon when I contacted them  was it is impossible to contact every home as they didn’t have the resources. Funny, as they can build them quick enough.

“We shouldn’t have to ask for the potentially life-saving barriers and fire precautions to be checked and then put into place. They should be automatically checking we have them.

“Persimmon should not be allowed to build any more houses until all the existing homes have been inspected.”

Cornwall councillor Dulcie Tudor, who has previously criticised Persimmon over the issue, said it was “despicable” that there had been delays.

She said: “I think it is terrible but it is par for the course with Persimmon. They don’t see it as a priority. They don’t see saving people’s lives as a priority.

“Will it take someone to die in a fire before they make it a priority? If I was living in a Persimmon home I wouldn’t feel safe. It is despicable.”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said: “We are very sorry if the homeowner did not receive an appropriate response on the telephone and will be reminding all staff of their responsibilities in this regard.

“We are taking this very seriously and we have a clear action plan in place to address the problem in a structured manner.

“A dedicated team has been established to carry out the inspections and to deal with any remedial work, which is normally carried out immediately and typically takes less than an hour. We have performed more than 3,000 inspections to date. The process of notifying homeowners and arranging inspections is ongoing.

“We have a dedicated national helpline – number – 0800 9150980 – which any homeowner with a concern can call for more information and to arrange an inspection of their property. They may also contact us via email at cavitybarriers@persimmonhomes.com

“Contact details can also be found on the Persimmon website at www.persimmonhomes.com/cavitybarriers”