Maria Miller has asked Barratts to immediately explain an 8 week delay in starting remedial building works at Crown Heights, the residential complex in the centre of Basingstoke, and to look again at if they can make up time to complete the works.
Maria Miller local MP said,
“Crown Heights residents have waited long enough for necessary building safety works to begin; this delay right at the start of the next phase, with construction engineers on site, would put even more pressure on residents who have been waiting years for Barrett’s to get going, making good the initial building defects found at Crown Heights.”
Although Hampshire Fire and Rescue have assessed the building as safe following a new fire alarm system being installed, Crown Heights has been identified as having historic fire safety defects, and in Spring 2022 the developer, Barratts Homes, signed a legally binding contract to ‘’remediate critical fire safety issues''. However, Barratts has recently confirmed that the remediation works, which were scheduled to begin in September, will commence two months behind schedule due to the contractor having to carry out ‘’preconstruction preparations’.
Maria said, “ This is incredibly disappointing news, especially considering Barratts has offered repeated assurances at monthly residents' meetings that building works will get underway in September. I have written to Barratts to ask for a detailed explanation of the causes of the delays and for an outline of the steps they will be taking to ensure works commence as soon as possible. Additionally, I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to outline the situation and request support from his Department in overcoming the delays.
“All sides need to have confidence these works will be completed to a high standard and on time. Delays at the start of the process undermine confidence. Barrett’s team must explain how they can make up time not simply let the end date slip. Barratts built Crown Heights and are responsible for putting right the problems identified. Residents need to know this is a top priority for the company; and that new house building is not being prioritised over putting right mistakes of the past.”