Asbestos and legionella threats means retirement complex residents are being rehoused

Threats from asbestos and legionella mean residents of a Yorkshire housing complex will be rehoused while major works are carried out.

A council report has revealed that retirement living scheme, Sycamore Grange in Golcar, has a number of issues that “pose a significant health and safety risk to the people living there.”

Asbestos insulating board is still a feature in the communal corridors and lounge. As well as being a health hazard in itself, its presence is preventing works being undertaken to address fire safety issues and investigate the presence of legionella.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Legionella samples were repeatedly found in pipework, especially in one flat. This is a type of bacteria that can live in water systems and cause a serious type of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. The tenant of the affected flat has already been rehoused.

Asbestos is no longer used in the construction of modern day housing.Asbestos is no longer used in the construction of modern day housing.
Asbestos is no longer used in the construction of modern day housing.

The council previously approved short-term emergency repair works on the retirement complex though more major remediation works are needed. On top of this, due to the complex being 50 years old, it “requires significant investment to bring it up to a modern standard.”

In order for these works to be carried out safely, the report to Kirklees Council’s Cabinet says: “The most straightforward solution is to rehouse all remaining tenants, demolish the existing scheme and redevelop the site. Any redevelopment will include as a minimum new housing for older people.”

Subject to cabinet approval at tomorrow’s meeting, current tenants and their families will be consulted in January next year and the rehoming of tenants would begin in April. This process is expected to take around 12 months and tenants will be given the opportunity to return to Sycamore Grange when the work is completed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the time of the report, 25 out of 40 units were occupied with the remaining 15 not to be re-let. New housing options for some of these households have already been identified by the council.

Seven vacant flats at another retirement living scheme – Lynroyd in Linthwaite – are being held to house Sycamore Grange tenants. This complex is approximately four miles from Sycamore Grange.

A further 16 empty units have been identified across Kirklees and despite them not being held to house Sycamore Grange tenants, they are said to demonstrate a steady flow of vacant units becoming available.

Each household affected by the rehousing will be entitled to the Government’s Statutory Home Loss Payment of £7,800. Additional support to fund furniture removal, blinds, flooring, packing and unpacking will be offered by the council dependent on individual circumstances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The maximum total cost of rehoming the Sycamore Grange tenants is estimated to be £300,000.

Once the tenants have been rehoused and the demolition is completed, it will take a further 18-24 months to redevelop the site. Information on the finances needed for this is expected to be brought to cabinet for approval next Summer.