COUNCIL tenants are demanding that housing chiefs have a rethink over a controversial scheme to revamp the outside of their homes in brightly coloured cladding.

Residents of Red Barn Estate in Fareham claim that their homes will "stick out like a sore thumb" next to nearby privately owned properties.

Fareham housing chiefs want to insulate up to 23 homes with the four-inch thick plastic cladding which comes in five colours ranging from green to sandstone.

Residents claim the changes are being imposed on them against their wishes because it is classified as repair work, which can be done without their consent. They are also angry because they were not consulted over the proposed changes that are set to cost about £120,000

David Griffiths owns his own home on the estate and claims the changes will "victimise" his neighbours who rent from the council.

He said: "It stands out like a sore thumb. You will be able to walk around and say 'That's a council house, that chap owns his own' and that's victimisation.

"It's a bodge job as far as I'm concerned. It looks awful. They could tile them to achieve the same effect and it would be pleasing on the eye. But they won't do that because it costs more."

Former ward councillor Steve Clark said: "It will clearly differentiate between private and council houses, and neither private or council residents want that to happen.

"People are very happy with their homes at the moment and are really worried about what these colours are going to make their homes look like.

"It is a waste of money. The council claim it will insulate the homes and bring down heating bills but the residents are happy with their bills at the moment and do not need this. It would have been nice to have a letter sent out saying 'is this OK with you?' The first thing they knew of it was when they saw workmen in their gardens, measuring up for the changes."

A spokesman for the council said: "There are two main reasons to do the work. It is part of an energy efficiency improvement scheme to reduce energy consumption. And also to stop further deterioration to the concrete of existing properties."

The scheme will be put to borough councillors to accept or refuse at an executive meeting on Monday.