11.10.17
Council to take over building that failed post-Grenfell safety tests
A tower block that failed safety tests following the Grenfell Tower tragedy is to be taken over by Slough Borough Council.
The council has confirmed that it is to take over the freehold of the building, with detailed negotiations to take place this week.
Nova House, a privately-owned residential block in Slough, is a former six-story office block which was converted into 68 residential apartments in 2015.
Cllr Sohail Munawar, leader of Slough Borough Council, expressed concerns for the safety of the building and said that the local authority has been closely monitoring the situation since the Grenfell Tower disaster, which is believed to have taken around 80 lives.
“Unfortunately it has now got to the stage where we feel, to protect the safe of the residents now and in the longer term, we have to intervene directly and take over responsibility for Nova House,” he explained.
“We know a great deal of work that needs to be done to Nova House to bring it up to the correct safety standards and we do not believe the current freeholder has the capacity to do what is needed for the residents.”
Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Mohammed Nazir, added: “We have been in regular contact with the residents of Nova House and have already written to them today to explain our intentions.
“In the coming week, we will be undertaking site visits and surveys in preparation for taking over the freehold, so we can move more swiftly when the transfer has been completed.
“Our aim is to improve the situation at Nova House for the residents and their safety remains at the forefront of our minds.”
Since Grenfell, the government has established a Building Safety Programme with the aim of ensuring high rise residential buildings are safe, and that residents feel safe in them. But several politicians and organisations have criticised Whitehall’s progress so far, with a debate in the Commons revealing that just eight council housing buildings had passed key safety tests in September and a campaign organisation finding that just 10% of social landlords have been in contact with tenants to discuss fire safety measures.
(Top image c. Rick Findler/PA Wire)