Residents' long wait for council to repair Brooke House

Brooke House has fallen into a dilapidated state in recent months, with broken windows covered by plywood boards.

In June of this year, the council approved improvement works to the façade with like-for-like replacements of its windows, as well as a new wheelchair-accessible entrance and a lobby area for residents.

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However, months later, work has still yet to begin on the Grade II listed 14-storey tower block, built in the early 1960s.

And the council has failed to provide a start date for works, leaving residents in the dark.

Boarded up windows in Brooke House - Image: Roy Davis (Image: Image: Roy Davis)

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Everything in here is falling apart, the doors are always busted, and the lifts never work.

“And it looks awful from the outside with all the boarded-up windows, we really just want something to be done about it.”

The 43-year-old mother added: “I just want my kid to have a nice environment to grow up in and right now it’s anything but that.”

Long-awaited council works also include plans for a new roof terrace, general decoration and replacement works, upgrades to fire escapes, CCTV, insulation, cladding, and extensions to staircases.

Councillor Kerry Smith claims the previous Labour coalition administration had set aside money for the urgent renovations before losing control of the council in the May 2021 local elections.

“The money was available for the new administration to get on with the work right after the elections,” he said.

“Yet they dragged their feet and we have yet to see the work start, it’s outrageous.

“Residents in that block are still waiting for these vital repairs all while live in these shoddy conditions and the council has just sat on its thumb.”

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “We recognise Brooke House as an iconic feature of Basildon Town Centre, and so we have committed to a series of significant works including the creation a new lobby, new windows, redecoration of communal areas and improved accessibility throughout the building.

“Further to our consultation events held last year, on 22 June 2022 a planning decision was made for the proposed building works to Brooke House. The planning committee approved the application subject to conditions for both pre-construction and during the construction phase.  

“Residents of Brooke House have been widely consulted on these works during our consultation events, to ensure they meet the needs of the community. We continue to engage with residents as improvement works begin.

“These works will ensure that the cultural significance of Brooke House is maintained for future generations, while delivering important improvements to the living experience for the people who call the building home.

“In the meantime, it is important that any repairs to properties within Brooke House are reported in the usual way via our repairs number on 0800 011 3241 so we can continue to complete any necessary repairs outside of our programme of works.”