THE MP for Basingstoke says she is 'incredibly disappointed' that work on a block of flats in Basingstoke with dangerous cladding will not go ahead when originally planned.
As previously reported, the external cladding at Crown Heights, which has around 250 flats, contains the flammable material 'expanded polystyrene' and features no fire breaks.
It means that should there be a blaze, it could engulf the whole building similar to what occurred at Grenfell Tower in 2017.
In 2021 Crown Heights failed its external wall system fire review certificate after it was found to be covered in the flammable material expanded polystyrene (EPS).
READ MORE: Crown Heights: Developer confirms work will be delayed until November
It was also found that more than 80 per cent of the building is clad in an STO-insulated render, which is a coating traditionally made of a mix of lime, water and aggregate.
The original developer of the building, Barratt, indicated that it will pay for work to remove it and is expected to start by September this year.
The Gazette has asked the developer for an update and was told by Barratt Developments that work won't be starting until November, two months after the promised start date.
Since then MP Maria Miller has asked Barratt to explain the delay in starting remedial building works at Crown Heights, the residential complex in the centre of Basingstoke, and to look again at if they can make up time to complete the works.
She said: "Crown Heights residents have waited long enough for necessary building safety works to begin; this delay right at the start of the next phase, with construction engineers on site, would put even more pressure on residents who have been waiting years for Barrett’s to get going, making good the initial building defects found at Crown Heights.”
READ ALSO: BDBC: Call for more to be done to help Crown Heights residents
Maria continued: “This is incredibly disappointing news, especially considering Barratt has offered repeated assurances at monthly residents' meetings that building works will get underway in September.
"I have written to Barratt to ask for a detailed explanation of the causes of the delays and for an outline of the steps they will be taking to ensure works commence as soon as possible.
"Additionally, I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to outline the situation and request support from his Department in overcoming the delays.
“All sides need to have confidence these works will be completed to a high standard and on time. Delays at the start of the process undermine confidence.
"Barratt’s team must explain how they can make up time not simply let the end date slip. Barratt built Crown Heights and is responsible for putting right the problems identified.
"Residents need to know this is a top priority for the company; and that new house building is not being prioritised over putting right mistakes of the past.”
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