New material is A1 rated, the highest level of fire safety
RECLADDING works at the Lydstep Flats in Llandaff North have finally begun, after over three years of delays.
Construction began on Monday, February 14. The new cladding is A1 rated, the highest level of fire safety, and a new ventilation system will also be installed.
Anna McMorrin, MP for Cardiff North, said: “I’m delighted to see that works to overclad the Lydstep Flats are due to commence imminently after Cardiff North Labour Team’s tireless efforts to deliver for local residents in Llandaff North.
“We will continue to work closely with residents as the works proceed and ensure their voices are heard.”
Cardiff Council removed the external insulation of the flats in November 2018, after safety concerns following the Grenfell fire.
However, continuous changes to building regulations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Brexit have caused what one councillor dubbed a “perfect storm” and led to over three years of delays.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I feel for the residents. It’s been a long time, and a lot of them have suffered from cold and damp.
“Although it’s still a long time – about 20 months – until the work is completed, I hope they’ll feel better being able to see the work being done.”
Many residents have dealt with mould, cold temperatures, and damp since the cladding was removed, causing damage to their properties.
In November, Cardiff Council told residents they would offer each tenant one payment of £250 to cover the cost of heating.
Naomi Moore, a resident of Lydstep Flats, said: “We are very relieved that work is finally starting. It’s taken too long and we have lost so much to mould and damp, so it’s great that it is finally under way.”
Ms Moore is still waiting for the mould to be treated in her home, a problem which she reported at the start of January. Her appointment for it to be treated is not until March.
She has also put in a request for compensation for her belongings which have been damaged from the mould spreading, but she is still awaiting a response.
Looking back, she feels more could have been done to support residents, despite representatives saying they said all they could.
Ms Moore said: “There has been no contact from councillors, and the only communication from the council has been about the work which is planned with the new sprinkler systems, and the work beginning to start outside.
“They know how the flats are prone to mould, and by leaving them in the state that they did, it was obvious the problem would escalate.
“If they had contacted residents to see if they were having issues, it would have been a help.”
Due to delays stemming from Brexit and Covid, cost estimates for the Lydstep recladding scheme doubled from early 2020 to August 2021, a rise of 103%, from £7.4m to £15.1m.
Cardiff Council said in September 2021 that the work at Lydstep Flats would be completed by early 2023.
Now, councillors estimate this will not be finished until autumn 2023, about 20 months of construction.
Despite the long road ahead, Ms Moore is optimistic.
“We are hopeful that once the building has been fixed on the outside, the mould and damp will dry up and the building will be warmer,” she said.
“It will be nice when the work is complete, and we look forward to re-decorating once it’s done and making the place feel like a home again.”
