Lynne Featherstone MP has met with Circle 33’s Managing Director for an update on the ongoing problems with social housing at New River Village.

Residents at the Colorado apartments remain unhappy with living conditions, reporting ongoing damp and problems with the lift and roof.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green brought the issue to light last year, with a video showing the extent of the problem. Some repairs have been made and many residents have been relocated, but the situation remains unacceptable for the remaining residents.

Circle 33 have been involved in ongoing discussions with developers St James, as studies have now revealed problems with the way the apartments were built by the developers.

Circle 33 hope to reach an agreement with St James about how to make, and fund, the complete repairs as soon as possible and to minimise disruption to residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I have long raised concerns about the quality of development of the Colorado apartments. Residents have suffered for years with leaks, damp and broken lifts and doors.

“Circle have reacted to the problems and have relocated residents – but it seems that more substantial repairs are needed to the building itself.

“If the problems do lie in the way the building was built, St James must act without delay to rectify them – even if that does mean stripping everything back and rebuilding. I won’t let this issue drop – and will carry on pushing for better living standards for my constituents.”

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with Circle 33 managing director to discuss the ongoing saga at Colorado apartments, part of the New River Village in Hornsey.

Together with local campaigner Dawn Barnes, the Liberal Democrat MP has long been campaigning for better conditions for these residents – last year publishing a video on Youtube to get Circle 33’s attention.

Since then, Circle 33 have committed to make numerous repairs and to re-house residents on the ground floor. The Managing Director said that work to the roof and pumping to remove water coming through the floor has started.

But, the residents who are still experiencing poor living conditions made their voices heard – they want faster repairs and better conditions now.

At a recent planning meeting at Haringey Council, a representative from New River Village developers St James admitted that there were “a number of design issues and operational problems” with the development.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner and candidate for Hornsey, Dawn Barnes, said:

“Whilst it’s good news that work is in progress, these residents are still living in awful conditions on a day to day basis. We will continue to push Circle 33 to act as quickly as possible.

“The St James chairman has publicly admitted there were design issues. This is something that should have been picked up by Labour-run Haringey Council building control, when they were overseeing the development.

“There has been complete failure all around – and it’s the residents who are paying the price.”

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Circle 33 know we are watching them and the New River Village closely.  We know how substantial the repair work is, but it must continue without any further delay. These residents have suffered enough.”

Lynne Featherstone MP and local Liberal Democrat campaigners have launched a petition demanding better living conditions for residents in the social housing apartments at New River Village.

In contrast to the pristine private apartment blocks, the social housing blocks –to the rear of the development – are suffering from damp walls, graffiti, overflowing bins and general litter and mess in the corridors.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP recently visited an apartment in the block. Resident Kristine Gravelsina showed the local MP the effect of the problems on her apartment – including severe damp in the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms.

Following the visit, the Liberal Democrat MP wrote to the Housing Association Circle 33 (who are responsible for managing the social housing) and demanded a meeting.

At the meeting, a petition with residents’ signatures – calling on Circle 33 to sort out the problems – will be presented.

Local resident Kristine Gravelsina said:

“Residents in Colorado apartments have to put up with leaks, damp walls and sometimes floods. The shared areas like the corridors and bin stores are in a terrible state.

“We have been trying to get Circle 33 to help us, but they are slow and no proper repairs have been made. I am glad Lynne and the Lib Dems have stepped in and I hope that it finally makes Circle 33 take action.”

Dawn Barnes, Hornsey Liberal Democrat campaigner, said:

“I was shocked and upset when I visited the New River Village and saw how poorly maintained the communal areas were.

“I spoke to residents on the ground floor and they showed me that their homes were badly affected with damp and mould. These homes aren’t good enough for families to live in and, with winter approaching, the problems need to be fixed quickly.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“As Kristine’s MP, I will fight hard on her behalf for better living conditions. What I saw on my visit to her apartment block was simply unacceptable.

“I have demanded a meeting with Circle 33. With the backing of residents, I will be asking that they make the necessary repairs as soon as possible, and for a commitment to provide a better service in the future.”