Homeowners left in limbo by a report about cladding on their flats have been promised a fresh assessment - with renewed optimism that expensive work can be avoided.
Residents living in Freesia Lodge, a block on the Kings Park estate in Harold Wood, were dismayed when last year they received a B2 fire rating following a survey they had requested, indicating remedial work was necessary.
The rating means they could face the cost of paying for flammable cladding or decking to be removed or replaced, or face difficulties selling their homes.
This was despite an “identical” block opposite, Bell Flower Lodge, receiving a pass the year before, with one resident describing the process as “careless”.
Another lost a buyer for their home because of the rating on the block's report, which is used by mortgage lenders to assess the external wall safety of buildings.
In its report, Façade Remedial Consultants (FRC) said remediation was necessary to remove possibly flammable timber decking and high-pressure compact laminate (HPL) panels.
On the latter, FRC wrote: “In the absence of further data concerning these panels and the form of construction around the balconies, there is a potential for unforeseen spread of fire.”
Since the issue was raised, several banks, including Barclays and HSBC, have announced they will begin lending on medium and high-rise flats with cladding, easing some of the stress around cladding.
But in a recent update, the Recorder understands that Countryside, the developer behind the Kings Park estate, has committed to funding an independent fire assessment if a review is not agreed with FRC and Compton, Freesia Lodge’s management agency.
In a letter, seen by this paper, from Compton to Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez, FRC wrote that there were errors in a manual provided by Countryside which the engineer relied upon during their assessment.
Ms Lopez said Countryside denied the errors in subsequent discussions, and has provided further information to Compton to “support their assertion”.
She added that if a review is not forthcoming, Countryside has committed to “appointing an independent fire engineer to conduct an independent expert review”.
Two residents have confirmed Ms Lopez’s update, with one adding they have had positive correspondence with Countryside since it was bought by Vistry, a takeover completed in November.
This paper has also been told that FRC has asked another fire engineer to conduct a peer review of its report. However, FRC has not confirmed or denied this, and neither resident said they were aware of a review.
On the original report, an FRC spokesperson said: “The decisions delivered in this report were based on the considered opinion of FRC’s chartered engineer following site visits and a review of all available information.”
A spokesperson for Countryside Partnerships said: “We have worked, and will continue to work, with the building owner and its consultants to prove and ensure building safety. We are in dialogue with the managing agent and are supporting its work and engagement with residents of Freesia Lodge.”
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