For the last three years, we have been updating, improving and ensuring the ongoing safety of one of our high-rise buildings, Princess Court in Manchester.

This has meant a variety of work has been undertaken from a new roof, replacement of cladding to new bathrooms and kitchens. Whilst the improvements didn't happen overnight, the safety and comfort of our residents was always paramount and we're pleased to have now completed the upgrades and improvements. 

Throughout the work our residents have been able to stay at home for the most part, but this has meant disruption for a long period of time.

Only when we replaced the roof, did we have to temporarily move residents who lived on the top floor, out of their homes.

Many of the residents who live at Princess Court are non-English speaking and this has meant much of the communication has been translated into Cantonese. Plus, many are older and we know how stressful this level of work and mess can be, so we simply couldn't have done it without our residents patience and the great work of our colleagues.

The work was carried out as following the tragic event of the Grenfell fire in 2017, and the subsequent Building Safety Act 2022, we wanted to ensure that all our high-rise buildings were as safe as possible.

Although none of our buildings had the same type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower (ACM, or Aluminium Composite Material) it was a type that we weren't happy with for our residents, and we therefore took the decision as a responsible landlord, to remove it. 

To say thank you to our residents for their patience over the last few years, our contractor, Casey Group, who carried out the majority of the work, we hosted a celebration.

Resident, Anthony said, "I'm absolutely delighted with the work that has been completed in my flat. The windows, heating and shower room are all fantastic. Caseys have been great throughout and they always kept me updated."

Another resident, Simon said, "It looks lovely now, I'm very happy. The new showers are very nice!"

We're extremely pleased with the work that has been completed from our colleagues at Your Housing Group and our partners that we simply could not of done the work without.  

A massive thank you to AEW Ltd , Assent Ltd , Total Fire Ltd , Hydrock Ltd , JFN Ltd & Casey Group Ltd

For a full list of the works completed, see below.

 

Work completed

  • Replacement of the entire roof covering including tiles, ridges hips, roof membrane, lead works and insulation.

  • New rainwater goods.

  • New lighting strips.

  • New roof ventilation installed.

  • Water damaged ceilings and internal walls on the top floors were replaced following previous roof leaks.

  • Replaced and upgraded fire compartmentalisation of the flats, plus other fire stopping related works throughout the building both internally and externally.

  • Installed new windows including new automatic opening vents to communal area windows throughout.

  • New compliant emergency lighting fitted to the communal areas, which is now linked into the new fire alarm system.

  • Replacement to all bathrooms with low access shower rooms.

  • Installed new automatic ventilation system to the bathrooms and kitchens.                                                                          

  • New central heating in all flats.

  • Full re-decoration and new kitchen fitted to residents who had to be decanted.

  • Replaced all external cladding with new fire-resistant materials.  Including obtaining the relevant planning permission in order to comply with Local Authority planning policy.

  • New main entrance door to the residential areas.

  • New fire alarm system which now incorporates the buildings 'stay put policy'. Residents had an additional temporary fire detection system whilst this work was being undertaken.