The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate – w/c 5 February 2018
Commenting on the cladding planning application
The planning application for the new solid aluminium panels is currently open to normal consultation. If you would like to comment on this planning application, please do so by Thursday 22 February.
To view and respond to the application please visit camden.gov.uk/planningand search for application number 2018/0503/P. You can also find a direct link to the application at camden.gov.uk/chalcotsestate.
Independent review
In January, the chair of the independent review sent a letter to all Chalcots residents inviting you to share feedback from the period of evacuation. The deadline to submit feedback, should you want to, is midnight on Wednesday 14 February. The chair has contacted your TRAs to coordinate focus groups that will be taking place on Tuesday 20 February and Thursday 22 February, for more information please speak to your TRA rep.
You can return your comments at https://consultations.wearecamden.org/ communications-strategy-improvement/chalcots-independent-review. If you require an additional paper copy of the independent review feedback form, please contact [email protected] to request one.
Other news
This half term, Camden will be holding a range of free family learning activities in conjunction with the British Museum. Head down to Great Court East, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3BG between 11am and 4pm onWednesday 14 February and Thursday 15 February for stories about magical dragons and Chinese inspired arts and crafts.
We would like to remind residents that activities are still available at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, including Saturday family swim sessions for Chalcots residents. These family swim sessions will now run all day, from 10am to 5pm.
Drop-in sessions with the Chalcots floating support workers will continue this week, 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, in the 2nd floor café at Swiss Cottage Library. This week we will also have a representative from our temperature and humidity monitoring team who can provide more information about the research project mentioned in last week’s newsletter. If you are interested in volunteering for the humidity monitoring research, please call 020 7974 4444 (option 7) or email [email protected]. We are especially interested in gathering information about conditions in family sized flats and other resident’s homes. Come along to Wednesday’s drop-in and find out more.
If you are unable to make it to the drop-in sessions, you can still access help and advice from your floating support workers. Please email either[email protected] or [email protected]
The fitting of floor numbering in the stairwells will soon be underway. This has already been completed in Burnham.
Household appliances
Faulty homes appliances such fridges, tumble dryers, washing machines, etc, can pose a risk to your home. To ensure the safety of your home it is a good idea to regularly check to see that your appliances haven’t been recalled. National Government have an online database where you can check to see if there is a problem with the model of appliance that you own – please visitproductrecall.campaign.gov.uk. The website also includes advice about what you can do, should you own an appliance with a manufacturer’s recall notice. If you want help identifying the model of your home appliances come along to the floating support drop-in at Swiss Cottage Library.
Feedback from TRA technical meeting, Wednesday 7 January February 2018, present Blashford, Taplow, Burnham, Bray and Dorney
The TRA group asked for an update on the windows, Camden said that consultant engineers were now on site looking at certain aspects of the windows. This should help to identify any required works. The TRA asked who was in charge of the windows contract, Camden reminded them that PFIC were still responsible. Camden said that they would update residents and the TRAs when more information was available.
The TRA said that where security gates had been removed from flat entrances the cement had become damaged, they said they wanted this to be smoothed out.
The TRA group also said that some residents didn’t want their new front door chains attached to the architrave surrounding the door. They noted that some residents felt that the chains were not fitted into the surrounds securely enough. Camden said that they would remind contractors to use longer screws to ensure a more secure fitting. They also said that they would speak to the manufacturer about perhaps obtaining longer chains that could be fitted to the wall. Camden reminded the TRA group that the doors and anything attached to them must be fitted within the manufacturer’s guidelines to maintain the doorset’s fire resistance.
The TRA group asked, on average, how long it was taking the on-call locksmith to deal with issues with locks. Camden said they would look into it. The TRA also said they wanted an out of hours number for the locksmith. Camden said they should call Rydon’s call centre on 020 7288 8322 for an out of hours service. Residents are reminded to report repairs as soon as possible so that they can be dealt with before getting any worse.
The TRA discussed the works regarding lights above resident’s front doors. Camden said they were looking into the matter and would report back with further information as soon as possible.
The TRA asked for an update on parking. It was noted that Councillor Apak was going to speak to Street and Estate Parking about on-street parking for Chalcots residents being extended to April.
It was also raised that contractors were continuing to park on the access ramp at Taplow. Camden said that they would speak again to the contractors about this and warn them to be considerate when parking.