WORK has started to remove potentially dangerous cladding from Crown Heights, although residents may not see big changes immediately.

Barratt, the original developers of the building in Alencon Link, confirmed that remedial works started on Monday, September 30, to remove the cladding.

The cladding contains the flammable material expanded polystyrene meaning that the building is at risk of being engulfed if a fire broke out, similar to the tragedy that happened at Grenfell Tower in 2017.

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(Image: Lola Crossman) A spokesperson for the home construction company told the Gazette that "important preparatory work is well underway" before scaffolding is erected on the high-rise building.

They added: "Residents may not see big changes immediately but important preparatory work is well underway including constructing an offsite office and car park, surveying phase one apartments and installing power and light meters.

"Scaffolding is currently being erected and from then the cladding can begin to be removed.”

The start of the work comes as a relief to residents, who have had to wait more than a year for work to begin as removal was previously scheduled for September 2023 before being pushed back to November.

The cladding's removal was then further delayed until July, and then August, because Barratt was waiting to receive approval for the works from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

Barratt received approval from the BSR on August 15 and started work on September 30 after contracts had been signed.

After the scaffolding is put up, the work could take an estimated 26 months.

Barratt previously said it would 'mitigate' disruption work 'wherever possible'.