Two tower blocks are expected to be closed due to safety concerns
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
After months of uncertainty, worry, and stress, there has been more chaos and crisis in Kirkby this week, where two tower blocks are set to be closed down due to safety concerns.
The Liverpool ECHO has produced several reports on the unfolding ‘catastrophe’ at Beech Rise and Willow Rise tower blocks after the estate’s management company terminated its contract. Soon afterwards, residents received a notice from Knowsley Council informing them the tower blocks were ‘unsafe’, after an assessment from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS).
The tower blocks are located on Roughwood Drive in Kirkby and have hundreds of residents – both rental tenants and leaseholders. The buildings are owned by TR Marketing Ltd and the head lessor of both Willow Rise and Beech Rise is Rockwell (FC100) Limited.
In May, MFRS said it had worked with successive management companies to ensure fire safety obligations were being met and issued enforcement notices demanding remediation works be carried out. At the time, an MFRS spokesperson said these works had not progressed and a prohibition notice would be served – meaning residents would have to leave immediately.
To prevent this, Knowsley Council made an agreement to fund a ‘waking watch’ service whilst they planned an emergency decant so that all households would have alternative accommodation options. The local authority has no legal obligations in relation to the tower blocks, as they are privately owned, but Knowsley Council said it stepped in to support its constituents.
Knowsley Council has been paying more than £3000 per day to provide the ‘waking watch’ but the agreement is coming to an end on Monday July 21, when MFRS is then expected to serve the Prohibition Notice.
Kath Rosenthal at her flats at Beech Rise in Kirkby.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The ECHO understands that the management company Parklands sent out a message to some households detailing its intention to force the locks of the flats in the hope of fixing faulty fire alarms. The LDRS has seen a screenshot of the message, which said Parklands received authorisation from Merseyside Fire and Rescue to enter premises to facilitate the installation of fire alarms.
Responding to the ECHO‘s question about this ‘authorisation’, a spokesperson for MFRS said: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority does not own or control either Beech or Willow Rise and as such is not in a position to give authorisation to a management company to enter residents’ property, nor would we do so.”
Additionally, Knowsley Council also responded: “We understand neither the police nor the fire service have granted permission to forcibly enter any of the properties and that the matter has been reported to the police.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that an incident was reported to us at around 8pm on Tuesday 15 July and enquiries are being carried out to see if any offences have been committed.”
For those unaware of Parklands’ message – or unaccepting of its legal right to enter the properties – the incidents caused alarm. Parklands was approached for comment but provided no response.
Door to flat at Beech Rise in Kirkby(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
One leaseholder, Kathleen Rosenthal, 68, was distressed after her lock appeared to be forced; she said: “Obviously it all got out of hand. I just felt sick when I saw the door, but all the arguments were too much for me.
“With the broken lifts, the leaks, and now the threat of homelessness for many, the last 12 months have been an absolute nightmare for everyone here. I am now settled somewhere else and just glad it’s all over. I’m just sorry for the other people who still don’t know what the future holds.”
Arunee Leerasiri, who has lived in Willow Rise for the last two and a half years, shared Kath’s sentiments and told us: “My anxiety has been through the roof.
“I love my flat, and when I shut the door this weekend, I don’t know when I will get to be back here again or if I ever will. Everything is all in the air; nothing is concrete except the fact the notice is coming into effect on Monday. It’s really overwhelming.”
On June 27, Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley wrote an urgent letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, asking the government to provide financial assistance to residents and emergency funding for Knowsley Council to rehouse displaced residents, especially where emergency housing is not immediately available.
Ms Midgley wrote: “This situation is exceptional in nature. These residents are not moving by choice; they are being required to leave under fire safety prohibition. It is entirely reasonable that the government provide targeted, one-off support to ensure families and vulnerable individuals are not left homeless.
“A particularly urgent and unresolved issue concerns leaseholders and owner-occupiers, many of whom still have active mortgages on these properties. At present, they appear to fall between the cracks of existing support systems: ineligible for housing support from the Council but unable to meet the financial demands of renting privately while also paying mortgages and charges on homes they are no longer permitted to live in.
“These are not wealthy buy-to-let investors. They are local residents, many of whom bought their flats as affordable homes to escape the private rental market. Some are older people, key workers, or families with disabled children. They are now being treated as if they have housing options, when in reality they do not.
Beech Rise in Kirkby(Image: LDRS)
“We need urgent clarification from your department on what protections, support, or discretion can be offered to leaseholders who are at risk of financial collapse due to this situation.”
The ECHO has seen a letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth, Alex Norris MP, replying to Ms Midgely and responding to the points raised. Mr Norris confirmed the matter is being taken very seriously by the government, and all areas are being fully examined.
The letter stated: “We share your concern about the safety risks and the need for a coordinated and compassionate response to support residents through this difficult time.
“I want to assure you that my officials are working closely with Knowsley Council and local partners to determine the most appropriate course of action in this situation. We are determined that all parties act on this matter in a way that supports residents through what we know is a distressing experience.”
It added: “We are acutely aware of the concerns you have raised around the impact of enforcement following the 21 July deadline, which is why multi-agency meetings have been taking place regularly since May with representations from many organisations, including Merseyside Police. These meetings are focused on ensuring a coordinated response, ensuring a safe and orderly transition for residents in preparation for the 21 July.
Willow Rise in Kirkby(Image: Copyright Unknown)
“My department is fully committed to continue to support and work closely with all relevant agencies to facilitate to ensure that residents are supported with care and dignity through a safe and well coordinated transition.”
On Friday, July 18, Knowsley Council issued a letter to all households on the Kirkby housing estate advising what is likely to happen on on Monday, July 21 and the waking watch ends. It states: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has advised that due to the fire safety issues having not been addressed, the Prohibition Notice (served by them on Tuesday 15 July) will come into force. This requires residents to vacate the premises.
“As you are aware, all residents have been advised to leave before 12 noon as your safety in the buildings cannot be guaranteed once the waking watch ends. Whilst we recognise that moving out of the buildings may be upsetting and difficult, we must stress that your safety will be at risk if you choose to stay.”
It added: “We understand that Fire Service officers will be knocking on doors to speak to residents to explain that the prohibition notice is effective and that for their own safety they should leave the premises. They will also explain that anyone refusing to leave will be liable to legal proceedings as failure to comply with a prohibition order is a criminal offence.
“At no time will fire officers (or council officers) seek to enter individuals flats and no one will be forcibly removed from the buildings.”