Cladding to be changed on six of the housing association’s buildings

L&Q, who own or manage over 90,000 homes in London and the South East, are set to remove and replace cladding on six of their buildings following the results of fire safety tests carried out after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June.

The tests are looking at the safety of different types of cladding when combined with various types of insulation on tower blocks. The first results show that category 3 aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding combined with foam or mineral wool insulation fails the tests.

L&Q say these results affect six of their schemes in Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harlow, Lewisham, Redbridge and Southwark.

The housing association states: “All affected buildings passed building regulations at the time they were built and were awarded the appropriate certification.

However the Grenfell tragedy has revealed further safety checks are necessary. We are therefore undertaking a programme to remove this cladding / insulation combination on these and replace it with a type which meets updated safety requirements while keeping the building warm and dry.”

Waqar Ahmed, group finance director at L&Q, said: “We have made this work an immediate priority and have or will set aside the necessary staffing and budgetary resources to deliver solutions quickly.

“We have initially set £50m aside in our financial plan, phased over the next three financial years, to cover this work. In the meantime enhanced resident communication and safety measures will remain in place.”

L&Q will be continuing with a 24 hour onsite security presence until the cladding has been removed and replaced. Daily checks of the buildings and an enhanced staff presence on site will also continue.

Under advice from the fire brigade, the housing provider says: “We won’t be moving residents out of these blocks, as the measures we have put in place ensure their safety.

We will now look at suitable alternative cladding systems and will follow all advice and guidance issued as a result of the latest government tests. L&Q will pay for the work to replace cladding, residents will not be expected to contribute.”