A WOMAN has been moved out of her home of 35 years and lost nearly all of her belongings due to damaged asbestos.

Carol Gola, 57, was relocated on April 21 after the substance was discovered in her house in Turkey Street Estate, in Dendridge Close.

She is one of nine households in the estate to be moved after tests revealed potentially dangerous levels of asbestos.

The properties were being refurbished by Enfield Homes as part of its £2.5-million Decent Homes improvement project.

Enfield Homes says it conducted asbestos surveys on all the properties before it began work, in line with health and safety regulations.

However, several of the families claim work had already begun before tests were carried out.

Ms Gola says no tests had been done on her property since she moved in 35 years ago, despite works being carried out on a regular basis.

She claims a surveyor only arrived after an Enfield Homes contractor who came to fit a boiler drilled through some asbestos in a cupboard.

She said: "A man came around to put in a boiler and he was drilling through a cupboard when he suddenly swore and said he'd drilled through asbestos.

"Enfield Homes then sent people around to do a check and I had to sit in the garden between 10.30am and 3pm.

"I wasn't allowed to go back in at all, and they even trapped my lovebird inside, who was stuck there for nearly two weeks.

"Now they say I can't have anything back except a few ornaments, which have been sprayed.

"It's terrible. It's awful. I've lost everything. My parents are dead and I've lost all their photos, everything."

Ms Gola, who was recovering from a stomach operation at the time, was moved into another home nearby, but moved out again when this home was also discovered to contain damaged asbestos.

She and her lovebird, which survived the ordeal, are now living with her niece in Enfield Island Village while Enfield Homes finds her alternative accommodation.

Six other families have also been unable to return home and two have been moved back.

Enfield Homes said two of the homes contained damaged possessions and it was "working closely" with the residents to resolve the matter on a case-by-case basis.

Bob Heapy, chief executive of Enfield Homes, said: "Enfield Homes can confirm that, in line with health and safety guidance, before starting work the specialist contractors undertaking the works at the Turkey Street Estate carried out asbestos surveys on the kitchens and bathrooms that are being refurbished.

"Damaged asbestos was subsequently discovered in one of these properties in an area not being refurbished as a part of these works.

"As a result of this discovery, we decided it was wholly appropriate to re-survey some properties, including an inspection of the areas that were not included in the specific Decent Homes work programme."

Meena Culff, 32, and her partner Chris Baker, 35, dispute this explanation, claiming work had been ongoing in their bathroom for two weeks before tests were carried out.

They were also unable to collect any of their belongings after being removed from their home three weeks ago with their two young daughters.

Ms Culff said: "Our bathroom was almost finished when they did the tests.

"In fact, we've had lots of work done on our house over the eight years we've been there and never had any test."

Mr Heapy added: "Enfield Homes’ top priority is the safety and well being of our residents and we remain committed to ensuring they are able to return as soon as possible to their repaired and refurbished homes."