Camberley Residents Battle ‘Oven-Like’ Flats During Safety Works
Summer Scaffolding Turns Homes Into Hotboxes
Families living in Viridium Apartments on Camberley’s skyline are facing unbearable conditions as essential building safety works continue through the peak summer months. Residents describe their flats as feeling like “ovens,” with temperatures climbing unbearably as the South East endures its fourth heatwave of the year. The issue stems from mandatory cladding removal works designed to eliminate combustible materials from the building’s external walls—a crucial fire safety measure that became law following the Grenfell tragedy. However, the timing has created a perfect storm. Scaffolding erected around the residential blocks, coupled with protective blue netting, traps hot air inside units that already struggle with natural ventilation. While contractors maintain that windows can open fully, residents report the practical reality is very different. Fatima Falatt, a mother living in the building, explains she cannot access her balcony or open windows effectively due to the ongoing construction activity. What should have been manageable inconvenience during winter months has become genuinely dangerous living conditions during heatwaves, leaving families desperate for relief and questioning the project scheduling decisions.
Families Making Impossible Choices
The human cost of this situation is becoming increasingly apparent across the building. One family with three children, including a newborn just days old, is relocating because of health concerns—their second child suffers from dust allergies exacerbated by construction particles infiltrating their home despite closed windows. Another resident describes the psychological and physical toll: his children cannot use outdoor spaces, residents cannot enjoy their balconies, and the trapped heat makes sleeping difficult. Parents are struggling to keep young children comfortable during scorching temperatures. Attempts to contact those responsible for the project have reportedly been ignored, leaving residents feeling unheard and unsupported. This mirrors concerns raised during similar loft refurbishment and loft conversion projects across Surrey, where contractors like Guilford builders have faced criticism over poor communication and inadequate resident support during disruptive works. The difference here is scale and urgency—these aren’t luxury renovations but mandatory safety requirements. Yet residents argue that safety works should be planned with consideration for existing occupants. Surrey Heath councillor Murray Rowlands has described conditions as “hellish” and visited the property to support residents’ concerns, raising the issue with relevant authorities.
What Comes Next—And What Residents Need to Know
The scaffolding is expected to remain in place for at least another six months, meaning families face continued summer and autumn constraints. Cladding Consultants, the client representative overseeing the works, emphasizes that this safety work is “necessary to help ensure the safety of all residents in the event of a fire.” Balconies remain inaccessible due to health and safety risks to both residents and contractors. Lawtech, the principal contractor, maintains customer service support is available on-site for residents requiring assistance. However, residents clearly feel unsupported and unheard. If you’re living in a building undergoing similar works, document your concerns in writing, contact your local councillor, and reach out to your building management formally about compensation or support measures. Request regular communication updates and clarification about any services available. For residents at Viridium Apartments specifically, councillor Rowlands’ involvement suggests escalation is possible. This situation highlights the tension between necessary safety upgrades and resident welfare—a balance that must improve. Contact BBC Surrey if you’re experiencing similar issues in your building ([email protected], WhatsApp 08081 002250).
Source: Residents’ anger over Camberley flats turned into ‘ovens’
