A BUSINESSMAN is seeking up to £500,000 in damages from a Gwent council and a Private Finance Initia-tive company - claiming that glare from a school's metal roof is "unbearable".

Malcolm Tams says he suffers dizzy spells and nausea, problems which he claims are caused by the glare off the roof of Ysgol Gyun Cwm Rhymni, Fleur-de-Lys.

Caerphilly council and the builders have previously admitted that the roof of three classroom blocks were put on incorrectly last year.

The roofs, which actually face north east, were meant to face south west in line with planning permission.

In a controversial planning meeting in August last year, retrospective planning permission was granted on the incorrectly placed roofs and council officials said they would be painted in an attempt to dull the glare.

An environmental survey commissioned by Mr Tams before steps were taken to remedy the glare coming off the roofs suggested it was twice as strong as direct sunlight.

Mr Tams claims the coating has made little difference.

Mr Tams also claims that a recent valuation of his £500,000 bungalow indicates the glare has knocked off between 20% to 40% of its market price.

Mr Tams, of Upper Trelyn Lane, Blackwood, said the civil case against Caerphilly county borough council and Machrie, the PFI company behind the project, is due before Cardiff county court in March 2004.

He said: "I have lost two stone in weight from the stress this has caused. "I have had to go into debt, borrowing off family and friends just to take it this far in the courts.

"We have to just keep going and I won't stop now.

"I don't care if we lose the house, I want my day in court."

Mr Tams also claims an 18- inch drop between a pavement and his driveway, caused by subsidence during the construction period, has cost him £8,000 because of damage to his vehicles.

Chris Pratt, the managing director of Machrie, said: "Machrie and the council refute Mr Tams claims. The roof has been coated in consultation with the planners and we believe we have fulfilled our obligations in that regard."

Mr Pratt added: "We went to mediation with Mr Tams about a month ago and he wasn't prepared to discuss the issues in any meaningful manner so it looks as if we are headed towards litigation in the courts early next year."

A spokesman for Caerphilly county borough council said they did not wish to comment on the issue.