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Prolonged Scaffolding at Archway Heights Leaves Residents in Fear
By Drooid · · How we work
Prolonged Scaffolding Leaves Residents in Darkness
Archway Heights, a nine-storey block in north London owned by the housing association Places for People, has been encased in scaffolding for more than six years while cladding remediation works remain stalled. The scaffolding licence, originally issued on 6 March 2020 and set to run until 6 August 2026, has been extended by an additional twelve months. Metal sheets and netting cover many windows, blocking natural light and preventing residents from opening them. “It’s miserable, it’s like we’re living in darkness,” said Natasha Dyett, a third-floor market trader.
Background: Post-Grenfell Remediation and Regulatory Delays
The work is required under building-safety rules introduced after the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has described the case as “complex, older external remediation” and noted that the original application submitted in April 2024 was invalidated. A revised application filed in January 2025 has undergone multiple requests for additional information before the regulator can grant approval.
Resident Impact and Safety Concerns
Residents report a range of problems linked to the scaffolding. Rough sleepers have climbed the structure to enter apartments, and a man was observed outside Dyett’s bedroom window in July, prompting a police report that could not be corroborated by CCTV. The scaffolding has also allowed unauthorized access to the roof, where a skylight was removed, causing water ingress. The prolonged presence of the scaffolding is viewed as a fire risk; a 2024 Dagenham tower block fire was later attributed to scaffolding that facilitated fire spread. Service charges and rents have risen annually, while the promised cladding replacement remains unrealised. Community union Acorn has helped secure an increase in the £250 bi-annual compensation paid to affected households.
Official Statements & Responses
A Places for People spokesperson acknowledged the “complex, multifaceted” challenges and said work cannot begin until BSR approval is received. The regulator confirmed that CCTV on the scaffold is operational and that an alarm system is being progressed. BSR reiterated that the case remains under review following the invalidated 2024 submission and the subsequent 2025 application.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s miserable, it’s like we’re living in darkness,” — Natasha Dyett
- “It’s just an absolute nightmare for them, they’ve been really neglected for such a long time,” — Acorn