A raging Edinburgh man has hit out at a local community bank after having a £500 loan to replace his flattened fence turned down.
Ian Turner, who lives on Boswall Loan, Granton, initially contacted the council to enquire about having the wooden structure repaired after storm damage. After reportedly being rejected, he visited the Castle Community Bank, a service he had used in the past, armed with bank statement and utility bills.
Ian turned up at the Leith branch only to be told flat-out that as he was not in full-time employment and earning over £18,000, he did not qualify for any sort of loan.
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Ian, who cannot work due to mental and physical health issues, has now been left in limbo. Speaking to Edinburgh Live about the ordeal, he described the way he has been treated as "shocking."
He said: "The excuse the bank gave me was Covid, but how can that play a part in me not being given a loan of just £500. I've used the bank before and paid back all of my loans on time, if not early.
"My garden fence has become weathered due to storms as I'm close to the sea, to the point where it is pretty much wrecked and £500 was the quoted price from an independent contractor.
"As the flat is owned by the council I approached them first and they just said it wasn't something they are liable for. I went to the Castle Community Bank expecting it to be a fairly straightforward process as I've used them before.
"I had gas bills and bank statements ready as obviously that's what I did before but they basically told me that because I'm not employed and earning over £18,000 that I'm being rejected.
"I said to them you're hardly a community bank if you're only helping the working half of the community and to be honest, even if they offered me the money now I'd not take it purely based on how I've been treated."
Since being contacted by Edinburgh Live, The City of Edinburgh Council have confirmed that they are unaware of the report and have arranged a visit to Mr Turner's home to assess the fence.
Ian added that prior to his visit, he phoned the bank and was told to apply for his loan online, while also being given no indication that he may be turned down.
He said to make matters worse, he fought for seven years to claim the garden in question and after it was finally confirmed as his, it has been left in a mess.
Images show the fence in question smashed up with pieces of wood strewn across the grass. Ian also has to keep an eye on his dog Charlie when he is running around on the grass as he could easily escape.
Ian continued: "I'm trying to arrange a visit to Cammy Day's surgery to see if he can do anything as I'm getting nowhere with the council. Not even my housing officer is willing to step in and help.
"I feel like I've been put in the house and abandoned. I've been here coming up for eight years and only just had it confirmed that the garden is mine as a neighbour claimed it was theirs.
"I know someone on the street who had to get an independent contractor to come and fix their fence and they told me I was looking at £500. There are also massive trees to be cut back but no doubt I'll need planning permission to do that.
"I don't really know what's going to happen next, I've been left with nowhere to turn. It looks like I might just have to come up with the money myself. If the bank think I'll go back to them after this then can ram it."
A spokesperson for the Castle Community Bank said: "Castle Community Bank does not comment on individual member cases, as you would expect since any individual member financial position is confidential."
A Council spokesperson said: “Housing officers are unaware of this issue or of concerns being raised, but have offered to visit the tenant’s home to take a look at the fence.”
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