Demolition of almost 200 homes is "likely" solution to tower block safety problem in Milton Keynes

Yesterday (Monday) MK Council revealed the tower blocks in the 18-storey Mellish Court in Bletchley and the 11-storey Gables at Wolverton did not meet current fire safety standards.

Inspections showed flames and smoke could spread too easily through the cavity walls in each of the 60-year-old buildings.

And to keep tenants safe, the council has now employed 24 hour wardens, trained in fire safety, at each site until a decision can be made about what to do next.

Today the Citizen spoke to Labour's Cabinet member for Housing, Emily Darlington, who has spent hours talking to residents in the flats over the past few months.

She admitted there were just two options - total refurbishment or demolition.

Council sources have already revealed repairing such an extensive problem would be highly expensive and impractical.

The other option, demolition, would mean new flats would be built on each site - but the blocks would be lower and more spaced out.

This, however, leaves the borough with the thorny problem of where to house the tenants while the new flats are being built.

Mellish Court consists of 136 flats, and the vast majority of residents are council tenants. The Gables has 59 flats and there are 44 council tenants. Both tower blocks have a small number of empty properties and flats owned by leaseholders.

Cllr Darlington said it could be possible to house the tenants in other council properties that become available throughout MK. They could then be given the option to move back when the new buildings were complete.

But she said: "These are the residents' homes. We have to remember that. Some have lived there for years and there is quite a community. Whatever we do, we will consult fully with them."

Late last year year residents at Mellish Court became alarmed when their balconies were declared 'extremely dangerous' after lumps of concrete began falling from them. Costly repair work was completed earlier this summer.

Now, faced with the new fire safety problem, the mood among residents is "mixed", said Cllr Darlington.

"It's a big deal for them and they need time to absorb this. I understand that," she said.

"I have asked the officers to make a decision over the next eight weeks about what will happen to these buildings. It's not long and it's going to be a challenge - but we can do it."

An MK Council spokesman said: The Council is considering the future of the tower blocks and will speak with residents to hear their views. If the plans are to rebuild the blocks, it will not happen immediately. If this is the case, both The Gables and Mellish Court will form part of the council’s estate renewal and regeneration plans."

Phill Mould, Group Commander responsible for Fire Safety at Bucks Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes there are a number of high-rise residential premises, where the owners or those in control are responsible for maintaining the building and resident safety.

“Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is the enforcing authority for premises regulated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that any premises not complying with current fire safety standards are remediated and brought up to the required standards.

“In complex premises, it can take a significant amount of time and investment to undertake the required works. The introduction of a 24-hour warden service is a significant interim control measure, which will help with the early detection of a fire and initiate the evacuation of the entire premises.

“The risk of a fire breaking out has not increased, and of course this risk can be reduced by everyone continuing to take sensible fire safety precautions, such as being careful when cooking, smoking, using candles and cooperating with any fire safety measures introduced.

“We will continue to work with Milton Keynes Council to ensure the continued safety of all residents.”

Meanwhile city Alderman Paul Bartlett is urging the council to knock both blocks down as soon as possible and house the residents in lower level homes with gardens.

"I cannot understand why, with so much land available in the New Town and plans to further extend the size of Milton Keynes, High Rise local authority housing has not become history in the borough," he said.

'"There has been concern over the safety and appropriateness of Mellish Court and The Gables for decades and their very existence in Milton Keynes is a blot on the borough's housing policy. "

Mr Bartlett added: "The current situation with coronavirus has illustrated the benefits of open space which for most people means a garden or courtyard.

"There are no reasons with MK expanding and council estates being revamped that tower block residents could not be provided with a house or lower level property with their own garden.

"I acknowledge that some residents will like their flat but that is always the case so as long as suitable housing and compensation packages are put in place I'd expect residents to be keen on having a house with their own garden.

"Land left over from demolition could be built upon for some alternative housing and for residents who wish to retain local links with family and friends".