A COUNCIL was forced to fit 320 low-energy light bulbs – at a cost of £6 each – by now defunct building regulations.

In what was branded an “insane”

waste of tax payers’ money, Darlington Borough Council revealed it was required by the regulations to install the specialist light fitments in two sheltered housing complexes.

The regulations were introduced in 2002 to stop householders replacing low-energy bulbs with less efficient ones.

However, the requirement was lifted last October, shortly after the developments in Dinsdale Court, Middleton St George, and Linden Court, Hurworth, were completed.

Councillor Doris Jones, who represents Middleton St George, said: “People are losing their jobs yet the council is wasting money like this. It’s insane.”

However, a council spokeswoman said: “There was no option – low energy light bulb fittings had to be installed in these schemes in line with current new-build building regulations, whereby all newbuilds have to comply with energy-saving measures.

“We are aware that these longlife bulbs have been expensive to replace and we are currently looking at sourcing bulbs that offer the best value.”

She added that the bulbs would save money in the long run.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government told The Northern Echo: “Builders are now allowed to install conventional screw or bayonet light fittings – or special fittings if they prefer – provided that at least three quarters of them are supplied with low energy lamps.”

David Sturge, spokesman for Eaton UK, which produces the bulbs, said a “social change” had prompted the change in regulations, because energy efficient bulbs are now seen as the norm.

He said that meant the firm would probably stop making the bulbs at some point, meaning the light fittings will all have to be changed.

“There will come a point when we will stop selling the bulbs because demand will certainly drop off,” he said.

Mr Sturge said the bulbs were relatively expensive because of the manufacturing costs of producing a product with such a low demand.