A FURIOUS homeowner is demanding developers pay for fire safety improvements with her flat covered in “highly flammable” cladding.
Jane Randle, 55, said she has been forced out of retirement in a bid to cover costs of replacing the cladding and balconies at her home in Morello Quarter, Basildon.
The flats were built by Weston Homes and met all standards required at the time. But the cladding is now considered flammable following the Grenfell fire tragedy.
Protest - Members of the public including Basildon resident Jane Randle against Weston Homes
Weston Homes have insisted the homes met regulations and said the firm no longer owns the freehold to the building.
Ms Randle said: “The building had a report which found we don’t have fire barriers in the cavity walls. Now we know after Grenfell that the fire cladding we have is highly flammable. They’re letting us live in fire boxes.
“We had a quote for the fire cladding and balconies to be removed and replaced which could cost us £7 million. That doesn’t include the fire barriers.
“I’ve had to come out of semi-retirement and right now work is not easy to find. I’m living in fear of there being no fire barriers and the financial worry.
“The properties are becoming worthless. It’s extremely worrying.”
Fury - Concerns about fire safety in Morello Quarter
Ms Randle joined 15 other leaseholders in a protest outside Weston Homes office in Victoria Avenue, Southend, on Saturday.
Ms Randle added: “The Government are saying leaseholders shouldn’t be paying but we are. Morally Weston Homes have a duty of care.”
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A spokesperson for Weston Homes said: “All properties on the development gained building control certification and were all signed off by Premier Guarantee who hold the ten year structural warranty. Weston Homes no longer own the freehold at Morello Quarter.
“Whilst Weston Homes understands the individual owners’ frustration, this is an industry-wide issue which is repeated across the country.
“These properties were constructed to the standards required at the time to achieve building control and structural warranty sign off.”
Protest - Members of the public including Basildon resident Jane Randle against Weston Homes
Protest - Members of the public including Basildon resident Jane Randle against Weston Homes
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