TENANTS in a number of commissioner houses in Ramsey may have to be moved into temporary accommodation due to defective bricks.

36 properties in Gladstone Avenue and Pairk Ollay have been found to have defective concrete blocks in their external wall construction which could cause the external render to crack.

Early signs of cracking became evident in 2007 and the properties have been monitored ever since. The cause of the defective blocks has been identified.

Specialists say the defective blocks pose no structural danger but the cracks in the render do and seriously compromise the appearance of the development.

The problem is apparently down to defective materials and not to faulty workmanship.

Ramsey Town Commissioners are now pressing the contractor, Auldyn Construction, and the concrete block supplier to agree to the external block work being replaced and re-rendered. This process will require tenants to be moved out of their homes while the extensive work is carried out.

The commissioners have also held meeting with loss adjustors acting on behalf of the block manufacturer and say it is anticipated that the cost of the remedial work will not fall to the commission.

Peter Whiteway, the town clerk and chief executive of Ramsey Town Commissioners, said if it came to it residents would be moved into property on another estate in the town which is being re-developed and that tenants would be moved out in "batches".

He added that it was the wish of Ramsey Town Commissioners that the block work was removed and replaced but that "ongoing discussions" were continuing between the commissioners and the contractor and concrete block supplier.

Work on the properties is expected to take around a year to complete with each affected property taking 12 weeks to fix. Mr Whiteway said he was hopeful that work would start in the next month or two.

Further updates will be issued in due course. Anyone with enquiries is asked to contact Ramsey Town Commissioners' housing office on 01624 810100.