Fire safety failings leave residents in limbo

Fire safety failings at a council's flagship regeneration development have left residents angered and trapped in limbo.

Runnymede Borough Council's Addlestone One project fully opened in 2018 featuring a mix of shopping space and housing.

While the retail units struggled to stay open, the flats were quickly purchased and initially considered a success, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

However, it later emerged the fire safety certificates were not valid and further checks, designed to reassure residents, found the problems ran far deeper.

The issues at Addlestone One relate to internal cavity walls – meaning they can be charged up to £10,000 for any work.

The council says it is seeking external legal advice to avoid this.

Others have faced problems buying or selling their flats as mortgage lenders can be reluctant to put up the money due to the safety rating.

Addlestone One resident Robert Vilkelis said: "In order to complete the sale – as desperate as we were to move in – we had to put £10,000 into a holding account for five years.

"I am so disappointed in how the council is managing Addestone One."

Runnymede Borough Council's chief executive Andrew Prichard wrote that the council would carefully consider all potential options to ensure the best possible outcome for residents.

"On the issue of who will bear the costs of any works to rectify the issues the council has reached a preliminary view that it should not be borne by residents, but this needs to be confirmed with external legal advisers given the technical nature of this matter," he said.

A spokesperson for the local authority added: "We remain committed to keeping residents updated.

"Resident safety remains the council's highest priority."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, X, and Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.