Dangerous flats refurbished after risky cladding found in town-wide £120m safety improvements

Matt Lee

17 November 2024 at 4:09 am·2-min read

Flats in Morley Grove, Harlow, Essex have been refurbished to improve fire safety — -Credit: (Image: Harlow Council)

Several dangerous homes in Harlow have been refurbished with major fire safety upgrades. A total of seven flat blocks in Morley Grove have been upgraded after safety concerns were raised.

Numerous fire safety measures were part of the refurbishment with wooden cladding and cladding on the underside of porches replaced with fire-retardant material and wooden balcony railings replaced with steel. Flat block entrance and communal doors have also been replaced, along with cupboard/store doors in shared areas.

The affected flat blocks were all five storeys high and built around 60 years ago. The extensive works programme follows a fire risk assessment and in-depth surveys. All 56 flats within the affected blocks received new front doors.

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Councillor David Carter (Cons.), the cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said: "These were important works designed to greatly improve fire safety for the residents of these blocks and I am very pleased with the results. Not only does it reduce the risk of a fire spreading if one should unfortunately occur, but it has also improved the look of the blocks.

"I hope that the residents are also pleased with the completed works and that it gives them peace of mind. We are working hard to transform Harlow’s housing across all aspects of both our homes and, where possible, the housing that is provided by private developers, for Harlow families. This is all part of an ongoing programme of taking action to improve fire safety in our flat blocks across the town."

The council is investing £120 million this financial year into it’s mission to transform Harlow’s housing with many more flat blocks and schemes receiving major refurbishments and fire safety upgrades over the coming months.

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