The Lewisham fire safety and improvement project replacing dangerous cladding on Hatfield Close and Gerrard House tower blocks has been completed
A Lewisham fire safety and improvement project on Hatfield Close and Gerrard House tower blocks has been completed by United Living Group.
The project has seen pre-existing combustible cladding replaced with non-combustible A1 fire-rated material, and carried out in-depth fire safety, and improvement works.
Over half of the project was funding from the Government cladding remediation budget
United Living Group was commissioned by Lewisham Homes to deliver the Hatfield Close and Gerrard House fire safety transformation project, undertaking emergency works starting in October 2017.
The project represented over £22m of investment in the 151 homes and the surrounding area across the three thirteen-storey tower blocks, with circa £16m in funding from the government building safety budget ‘Remediation of non-ACM buildings’.
The new cladding is designed to be highly fire resistant with the tiles made from terracotta and have an A1 safety rating. The supports and insulation behind the cladding have also been given an A1 rating.
Additional works included the installation of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, Automatic Opening Vents, upgraded windows, new doors, balconies, and structural works.
The community was involved throughout the Lewisham fire safety and improvement project
With residents in situ throughout, it was important that partnerships were formed with residents and tenant association groups involved throughout the construction – with the first cladding tiles installed by the chair and vice-chair of the Tenant and Resident Association.
During the installation, the London Fire Brigade frequently visited the buildings to view the fire safety-compliant cladding system and to understand the build-up of the product. A sample of the cladding system has now been installed at their training base.
A dedicated social value officer was appointed to the site to ensure the needs of the residents were considered at all stages.
Projects included CV workshops, a women-in-construction workshop and the restoration of an overgrown community garden, local apprenticeships and employment.
The project won two awards at the prestigious National Building and Construction Awards in 2021 for the project of the Year £10 million to £25 million category and the overall Gold Medal.
Bringing not only safety but quality of life improvements for residents
Simon Will, managing director, United Living Property Services, commented:
“We are pleased to have completed works on this important fire safety and improvement project. It has been a pleasure working with Lewisham Homes, the residents and our valued supply chain partners, helping to raise the quality of life for local residents and ensuring they feel safer, and therefore more comfortable in their homes.”
Councillor Brenda Dacres, deputy mayor and cabinet member for Housing Development and Planning, London Borough Lewisham, said: “Our residents’ safety is our top priority, and this project certainly started with fire safety in mind.
“However, I’m really impressed to see the complete transformation these towers have gone through over the past five years, moving past safety into real quality of life improvements for residents.”
Project completion was celebrated at a garden party attended by residents, Lewisham Homes, Lewisham Council, including Lewisham Councillors Luke Sorba, Joan Millbank and Paul Bell and specialist housing consultancy, Michael Dyson Associates.
