TIDM85FA
Notting Hill Genesis
19 October 2020
Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) announces comprehensive building and
fire safety review of six residential blocks
Notting Hill Genesis, one of London's largest housing
associations, is to undertake a comprehensive safety review across
a six-block residential development in London following expert
advice that the construction of the buildings may be putting
residents at risk.
Following expert advice provided by consultants employed by
Notting Hill Genesis, all residents living in Paragon - about 1,000
people in total - will be asked to leave immediately in order to
protect their health and safety while further investigative work is
undertaken.
Paragon is a development of six blocks containing a total of
1,059 homes in Brentford, Hounslow. It was developed by Berkeley
First, part of The Berkeley Group plc. The estate was owned
initially by the former Presentation Housing Association, which
became part of Notting Hill Housing - now Notting Hill Genesis - in
2009.
Notting Hill Genesis said that it would ensure that all
residents living in the Paragon Estate were able to access safe
alternative accommodation this week. It will also work with
residents to find a longer-term solution to their housing needs
where necessary.
The further investigations will establish the full extent of the
structural and fire safety issues that have been uncovered at the
development and identify next steps.
Notting Hill Housing group, which became part of Notting Hill
Genesis group in 2018, acquired Paragon in 2009.
Earlier building performance issues, together with fire safety
issues related to the cladding and the subsequent new Government
guidance since the fire at Grenfell Tower, triggered a series of
safety checks at Paragon, undertaken by technical consultants,
which have each revealed further problems with this
development.
Notting Hill Genesis has taken action to address these risks as
they have arisen, including establishing waking watches and
temporary alarms, and introducing simultaneous evacuation
procedures, but the latest advice has prompted the group to act in
order to protect its residents.
Kate Davies, group chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, said
:
"First, I want to say how sorry we are to residents that we have
had to take this action and disrupt their lives. But, as a
not-for-profit housing association, our priority is to provide
safe, affordable housing. We always ensure the wellbeing of our
residents, so while we are incredibly disappointed to have to make
this decision, we believe that we have no choice but to ask people
to leave their homes on the Paragon estate.
"I understand that Paragon residents may feel angry or alarmed
by this news, as they have every right to be. This is a very
distressing time and we are genuinely sorry for the huge amount of
disruption and uncertainty that this situation will cause.
"This is a complex situation and we don't yet have all the
answers. We are working to uncover the full extent of the issues at
Paragon so that we can provide residents with clarity about
timescales, next steps and options as quickly as possible.
"We are doing all we can to support people who live in Paragon
through this difficult situation. We have identified safe
accommodation for everyone to move into this week and are providing
financial support to help them do that. We are also giving everyone
a dedicated caseworker to discuss their specific needs both now and
for the longer-term where necessary."
Notes:
Paragon
Paragon is a scheme that was developed for Presentation Housing
Association Limited and Touareg Trust, which was originally a
subsidiary of Presentation Housing, by Berkeley First Limited.
Presentation transferred its engagements to Notting Hill Housing
Trust in 2009. Paragon comprises eight blocks that reached
practical completion 2006. The development comprises six blocks of
residential and student accommodation, plus two commercial
buildings that are not owned by Notting Hill Genesis group.
The six blocks consist of the following:
-- Block A - a five-storey building consisting of 41 units of intermediate market rent.
-- Block B - three interconnected buildings of four, five and
nine storeys with 107 shared ownership leasehold units and 72
intermediate rent.
-- Blocks C, D, E and F - 17, 12, 12 and five-storeys
respectively, hold a combined 839 units of student accommodation
which is occupied by students nominated by the University of West
London.
The freeholds of Blocks C through F are owned by Touareg Trust,
which is a registered charity and is a subsidiary of Notting Hill
Genesis.
Blocks A and B are owned by Notting Hill Genesis. Notting Hill
Home Ownership Limited, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Notting Hill
Genesis, holds a long leasehold interest at Block B where the
shared ownership homes are located.
None of the homes at Paragon is owned or managed by Folio London
Limited.
None of the sites at Paragon are charged to any public
bondholder.
Notting Hill Genesis
Notting Hill Genesis is a housing association formed in April
2018 by the amalgamation of Notting Hill Housing and Genesis
Housing Association. It has charitable status and is a registered
provider of social housing. The primary purpose of Notting Hill
Genesis is to work in the community to provide decent and
affordable homes for lower-income households. It is one of the
largest housing associations in London and the south-east,
providing around 66,000 homes in and around the capital.
Contact details
Blackstock Consulting: Andrew Teacher / Patrick Clift: 07469 248
421, or NHG.media@blackstock.co.uk.
www.blackstock.co.uk
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END
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