Senior Councillor praises ‘exemplary’ work at Hatfield & Gerard fire safety recladding project

A senior Councillor has praised the ‘exemplary work’ currently ongoing at our Hatfield & Gerard fire safety recladding project on behalf of leading social housing provider, Lewisham Homes.

“I was extremely impressed with the quality, attention to detail and care taken over the work to upgrade the blocks in Hatfield Close and Gerrard House to make them fire-safe following the Grenfell Disaster,” said Cllr Louise Krupski, Lewisham London Borough Council.

Councillor Louise Krupski, is Chair of Lewisham London Borough Council’s Housing Retrofit Committee, which is investigating how to make Lewisham’s social housing stock as carbon efficient as possible.

Not only is the work exemplary in terms of the focus on fire safety, which is evident throughout, but residents are now enjoying a huge shift in the energy ratings of their homes – the majority now being rated at EPC B, reducing people’s fuel bills and carbon footprint.

“I was very interested, as chair of the Task and Finish Housing Retrofit Committee, to hear how Lewisham Homes and their partner United Living had successfully used the opportunity of having to make the buildings fire-safe and retrofit them at the same time with the obvious economic savings, over the longer-term, this will create.”

United Living Group was commissioned by Lewisham Homes to deliver the Hatfield Close and Gerrard House fire safety transformation project, undertaking emergency works with scaffolding erected.

United Living commenced on site in October 2017, with the dangerous cladding on all three blocks successfully removed by December 2017.

Following the removal of dangerous cladding, the three blocks have been subject to an extensive refurbishment and recladding programme which includes the installation of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, upgraded windows, new doors and balconies & structural works.

The new cladding is designed to be highly fire resistant. The tiles are made from terracotta and have an A1 safety rating, the highest achievable.

The supports and insulation behind the cladding have also been given an A1 rating. More information regarding the project can found here.