BASINGSTOKE’S MP is supporting the government’s announcement that housing developers should be legally contracted to fix unsafe buildings.

The latest government announcement on unsafe housing confirms that it will be developers – and not the taxpayer – who will be obliged to bear the burden of the cost of repairs.

The news comes after residents of a Basingstoke tower block complained about the length of time it is taking for potentially dangerous cladding to be removed from the building.

READ MORE: Crown Heights residents react to lack of action on cladding

The external cladding at Crown Heights, which has around 250 flats, contains the flammable material ‘expanded polystyrene’ and features no firebreaks.

This means that should a fire break out, it could engulf the entire building in a similar manner to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.

Residents previously told the Gazette that they are “effectively trapped” because they are unable to sell their property until the cladding is sorted out.

However, Mrs Miller said that six major lenders have confirmed they will consider mortgage applications on properties such as these.

She said: “I am very pleased that leaseholders will no longer be faced with huge and unmanageable bills to fix aspects of their properties which were not of their own doing, and that the developers who often were the cause of unsafe housing are to be the ones to fix it.

SEE ALSO: Two more blocks of flats have failed cladding tests in Basingstoke

“In particular, it is excellent to see that six major lenders have once again confirmed they will consider mortgage applications on properties such as these – it shouldn’t be underestimated how the freedom to move, sell or buy can have a huge impact on how people feel about where they live.

“I hope this announcement will allow people to no longer feel trapped in their own homes, and to feel safe where they live."

Mrs Miller said that remediation plans are already at an advanced stage for the handful of buildings in Basingstoke that require building works.

She said: “I receive regular updates on these developments and will continue to monitor closely as renovations get underway.”

The government will bring in legislation in the spring to bring effect to this announcement, and the department has written up a contract to require developers to fix buildings and reimburse taxpayers which will be legally binding.