Cladding similar to Grenfell Tower found on Woodberry Down estate block
Cladding: Bluebell Apartments is part of the affected block. Photograph: Hackney Citizen
Cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower has been found on an eight-storey block on Woodberry Down estate in north Hackney.
Mayor Philip Glanville has said residents have been informed about the “decorative” cladding similar to that used on the Kensington Tower where a fire killed at least 79 people on 14 June.
He said the cladding is not an immediate safety risk but developer Berkeley Homes and Genesis Housing Association are working “swiftly” to remove the cladding straight away as a precaution.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said the block in question contains Berryside Apartments, Bluebell Apartments, Honeysuckle Apartments, and Mulberry Apartments.
In a statement, Mayor Glanville said: “Following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower, we asked all social housing providers in the borough to investigate the cladding on their properties and we have now been informed that cladding similar to that used at Grenfell Tower has been found on part of an eight-storey housing association block at Woodberry Down.
“We have been assured that the cladding is used in an entirely different way to that at Grenfell Tower. It is purely decorative, on a new-build block, and does not compromise the safety of the building.”
He continued: “This block is the only building at Woodberry Down where this type of cladding has been found and we are pleased that Berkeley Homes (the developer) and Genesis Housing Association have worked quickly to identify this and are taking swift action to replace it.
“Berkeley Homes and Genesis have written to residents of the flats affected, and they will be kept fully informed of any further actions that are taken. There is no immediate safety risk to residents but as a precaution, the cladding will be removed immediately, and until the removal is complete, a fire safety officer will be on site 24/7.”
Hackney Council has said none of the borough’s 181 medium to high-rise blocks has the cladding used in Grenfell Tower, but has ordered an independent review of cladding in all council blocks “to reassure residents”.
Read more: Grenfell fire: Hackney Council is ‘dragging its heels’ on fire safety, say local Liberal Democrats
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