NEWS


on opening in 2011. A procurement process for repairs is set to be opened, with costs estimated at around £6m. Philip Glanville, mayor of


Hackney, commented: ‘We are sorry for the failures in the construction of Bridport House, and for the huge disruption residents continue to face. Moving residents from homes we all hoped would be new and permanent is not an easy decision, but our first priority is their safety. We will be taking legal action to hold those responsible for these failures to account. We also should have done a better job.’ Willmott Partnership Homes


was ‘disappointed at the way the problems at Bridport House have been portrayed by Hackney Council’, adding that it could not comment fully ‘in view of the threat of legal action’. A spokesman stated: ‘This is an extremely complicated matter, significantly exacerbated by various aspects of the Building Regulations recently being reinterpreted following the Grenfell tragedy. We too want to say how sorry we are that matters have turned out in this way, and of course for the concern this will have caused to the residents at Bridport House.’


Concerns over Cardiff block


Residents in Cardiff Bay’s Celestia development have been told they would need to leave if South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) ‘couldn’t be satisfied’ mitigation measures were being taken. Wales Online reported on an email from building managers to residents, which stated that ‘internal and external firestopping compromises’ were ‘recently identified’ which posed a ‘major concern’ in terms of fire risk. The complex’s 15 storey Vega block has in total over 450 flats, and ‘it is not clear’ if other blocks within the larger development ‘have the same problems’. The email also stated that SWFRS


would place a prohibition order on the block should its requirements not be implemented. Due to the risks,


people with restricted mobility ‘would already have been prohibited’ from occupying the building, though none live there at the moment according to building managers Parkmans. Residents have also been told not to use balconies for ‘safety reasons’, with concerns that apartments are now unmortgageable. Parkmans was working with


SWFRS to ‘put in place a personal emergency plan’ for affected residents, with the development – completed in 2006 – understood to have a ‘number of defects’ SWFRS is concerned about, though not aluminium composite material cladding. The email was sent on behalf of Celestia Management Company Limited (CMCL) directors, with leaseholders told it had spoken to SWFRS ‘on numerous occasions’. Most recently in August, it had been asked to meet Welsh government officials, and SWFRS ‘expressed major concern with Vega, in particular, as a result’ of firestopping issues, adding: ‘CMCL were informed that if the fire authority could not be satisfied on the implementation of additional interim requirements requested the same day they would place a prohibition order on the apartments and all residents of Vega would have to vacate the block.’ It added that SWFRS was satisfied


with interim measures, noting in turn that SWFRS would ‘be undertaking further audits on the remaining blocks at Celestia shortly’. Parkmans is also implementing a series of other measures including increased and ‘site-specific’ fire safety training for all staff, and having four staff members on site, including two undertaking a waking watch in Vega.


Additional measures include


taking communal heating sources ‘out of use’; flat by flat visits to gather occupant information, as well as providing a fire action notice and fire safety form; and meetings with contractors to get quotes for installing wireless alarm systems. Parkmans told residents that it ‘strongly recommend[s]’ that you arrange for your internal smoke alarm system


to be checked and tested’, including checking expiry dates on detectors. It also asked that residents ‘carry out an electrical condition report and portable appliance tests for those rented apartments’. SWFRS stated that it was aware of the issues, adding that its work with partners ‘has resulted in enhanced safety measures being put in place’. Welsh government officials will meet with developers this month, with further information on remedial work to ‘be issued shortly’. Parkmans added: ‘Laing O’Rourke


were employed by Redrow as the principle contractors of a design and build contract, Arup and Hayes Engineering were also appointed contractors. Due to the risks, the fire service verbally informed Parkmans that anyone with mobility issues were to have restricted access to the building known as Vega. ‘It is our intention to continue


to work with the fire service to put in place a personal emergency plan for those affected. Otherwise, Parkmans nor CMCL can comment further on the other issues you raise at this time, whilst we continue to engage with the interested parties to seek a resolution to the issues relating to the development.’ The Welsh government


commented: ‘Although the responsibility and enforcement powers do not sit with Welsh Government, we are working closely with the fire and rescue service, building owners and managing agents and Cardiff Council. Our first priority is the safety of residents and tenants and we are seeking reassurances that the appropriate interim safety measures are put in place immediately and a clear plan for long term mitigation is put in place as soon as possible.’ Matt Grayson, spokesman for


Redrow, responded that despite not building or holding the freehold, it ‘was playing its part to address the issues that are being raised’, while a Laing O’Rourke spokeswoman said: ‘Laing O’Rourke is in discussions with Celestia Management Company Limited as CMCL work through their investigations. We are unable to comment further at this time.’


www.frmjournal.com OCTOBER 2019 15


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