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Kirkby: £1m 'down the drain' as danger flats set to close
Kirkby: £1m 'down the drain' as danger flats set to close

BBC News

time11 hours ago

  • Business
  • BBC News

Kirkby: £1m 'down the drain' as danger flats set to close

Up to £1m of tenants' and taxpayers' money has been spent trying to stop two dangerous blocks of flats from closing down, the BBC can Rise and Willow Rise in Kirkby, Merseyside, were due to be shut on Monday - and all their residents become homeless - because of serious fire safety owners said they had been through "years of hell" spending extra money on repairs, asbestos removal and other costs while the value of their properties MP Anneliese Midgley said they had been victims of a "broken leasehold system", but the buildings' landlord said residents were responsible for their upkeep and management. The 160-flat former council blocks were refurbished as "luxury living" apartments in 2007 and sold for up to £100,000 said that as fire safety issues were identified by the fire service, it had fallen on them to pay to try to fix Council has had to spend close to £400,000 on safety patrols, which "ensured residents did not need to leave their homes". Dave Hemmings, 72, told the BBC that when he moved into Beech House, his "only thought was how they would get my coffin out in the lift", because he expected to live there for the rest of his said: "It was fantastic when I moved in. Loads of space, nice views. But there have been four management companies in the seven years I've been here and obviously they've not used the money the way they were supposed to. "The lifts don't work, it stinks, the building's gone down while my service charges have gone from £1,100 a year when I moved in to over £4,000 now, and I'm getting evicted." In 2011, the original developer sold the "head lease" of the buildings to a firm run by businessman Michael Gubbay, who has a portfolio of hundreds of freeholds and leaseholds around the UK registered to several firms based in the British Virgin firms, or firms linked to relatives or business associates, were appointed to manage the blocks on behalf of the residents' management owner Mike Jones, 42, said when £330,000 was raised to pay towards fire doors and other fire safety works, thousands of pounds in professional management fees were added he said, the works were to a poor standard and not completed and the building deteriorated. In 2019, the head leases for the buildings were transferred from one of Mr Gubbay's offshore-registered companies to one now owned by high-profile London-based multi-millionaire investors Robert and Vincent Tchenguiz, who at one time were reported to own about 250,000 Gubbay ceased to have anything to do with the buildings in 2021, and the BBC has learned that a subsequent 10-month delay installing a fire alarm system paid for with a £40,000 government grant meant Knowsley Council had to step in to pay for 24-hour safety patrols at a cost of £380, Jones said he and fellow leaseholder Elaine Shaw had joined the board of the residents' management committee in 2023 in an attempt to bring in new managing agents and to get things back on track, but said trying to fix the buildings' problems had become an impossible resigned in April when, he said, it became clear the fire service was not going to allow any extra time to try to sort out the building's fire safety problems. "While these companies have been making money out of these buildings, they have become more and more unsafe," said Mr Jones, who paid about £95,000 for his flat."There was an elderly, vulnerable leaseholder with health problems who had to sleep in his car because the lifts didn't work, and he could not get up the stairs."He was still being chased for money and begging me to help him go bankrupt due to the stress, but passed away before we could help.""We've been dragged through hell and have contacted anyone and everyone for help, but it all falls on deaf ears."Mr Gubbay told the BBC he was "on holiday" and has not responded to requests for comment. Although the Tchenguiz brothers' firm Rockwell FC100 is the landlord of the buildings and charges ground rents to the leaseholders, it does not own the buildings are owned as part of the freehold, which was still held by housing association Livv Housing until 2022, when it sold it to a company called T R dormant, Salford-based micro-company – which the BBC has not been able to contact - paid £5, Housing said it sold the land after a "formal valuation" and that it did so because its long-term strategy "did not include plans to build or manage any more high-rise blocks, therefore retention of the land was not necessary".Elaine Shaw, 68, bought her flat in Willow Rise in 2007 for £66,000 plus said she had hoped the rental income would give her a more comfortable retirement after being widowed, but now was on antidepressants and suffering from acute with the building about to close, she feared her investment was now Shaw said she had no idea what the sale of the freehold meant for her or the other leaseholders who had between them paid millions of pounds for flats on the added: "I have a whole gamut of feelings - anger, outrage, and disgust at the systems and bodies which have allowed this situation to develop."But the most difficult feeling is helplessness. This whole thing has blighted my life."She said flat owners' and taxpayers' money had gone "down the drain", adding: "We've been totally drained for years." Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said it had no choice but to order the closure of the buildings "in the absence of any suitable plans to remediate the fire safety shortfalls".The fire service has not specified exactly what problems were forcing the closure of the buildings, and original developer LPC Living told the BBC it had received "all required approvals and certification".Speaking after it emerged the flats would have to be abandoned after Knowsley Council's most recent £3,000-a-day safety patrols ended, MP Midgley said "historical owners and management companies have walked away from their responsibilities", adding they had "failed to carry out essential fire safety work, failed to repair broken lifts, and failed to maintain these homes to even a basic standard"."Despite recent directors and a new management company's best efforts to remediate, the failures that have been exposed are far too great," she described the situation as a "failure of the broken leasehold system". 'Real risks' The government has described the wider leasehold system in England and Wales as "feudal", and that it had "fallen woefully short of the dreams of homeowners".But it currently faces a High Court battle against its plans to abolish the leasehold system altogether, with major freeholders arguing the changes could cost them millions of pounds.A spokesman for Rockwell FC100 told the BBC the residents' management company had "sole responsibility for managing the buildings and collecting and spending service charge money".The spokesman said Rockwell FC100 was investigating "what has led to the current situation".And he added: "The situation at these buildings demonstrates the real risks and consequences which will increasingly face residents up and down the country if the government introduces reforms which force professional freeholders to exit the market and instead impose responsibilities for overseeing buildings onto leaseholders, regardless of whether or not they wish to or are able to discharge these responsibilities."Leaseholders Mr Hemmings, Mr Jones and Ms Shaw said the changes that might stop the imposition of for-profit professional management companies by landlords could not come soon Shaw said: "We will fight on to the bitter end, although the odds are stacked against us."There is no such thing as a level playing field for 'ordinary working people', and no justice unless you are stinking rich." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

Court rules law passed after Grenfell is retrospective
Court rules law passed after Grenfell is retrospective

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • General
  • BBC News

Court rules law passed after Grenfell is retrospective

A court has said that building owners and developers cannot recoup costs from leaseholders for fire safety remediation work. The Court of Appeal ruling on two separate cases earlier this month could have far-reaching implications for who bears the costs of building safety-related costs in the the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, safety issues were discovered in buildings constructed years or decades court's ruling means that building owners can't charge leaseholders for fire safety defects that were discovered before 2022. 'A retrospective approach' The judges ruled that parts of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) can be applied retrospectively, favouring leaseholders and law came into force in June 2022 in response to the issues raised by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The retrospective nature of the law was a key factor in its creation, and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner made written submissions to the court attesting to said: "A retrospective approach provides for effective routes to redress against those responsible for historical building safety defects that have only recently come to light, whatever level of the supply chain they operated at."The court decisions relate to disputes about Hippersley Point in Abbey Wood, south east London and five residential blocks in the East Village Estate in the Olympic Park in Stratford, east the Hippersley case, the tower block's owner Adriatic wanted to charge leaseholders the costs incurred during a tribunal process in which it asked to do away with certain regulations so it could charge residents more than £250 each to carry out remedial fire safety works. In the East Village case, judge looked at an application from the social housing provider and long leaseholder Triathlon which wanted to make the East Village developers pay for remedying fire safety defects via remediation contribution orders (RCO).The East Village RCOs were the first to be made under the BSA, with the developers appealing the First Tier Tribunal's original decision to allow the safety defects at Hippersley Point and in the East Village Estate were both discovered prior to when the BSA became both cases, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of leaseholders over developers, deciding that parts of the BSA do have retrospective Nitej Davda, a partner at law firm Cripps, said it was "quite unusual" for such legislation to have retrospective effect. He said: "If you take a step back and you think about what happened with Grenfell, which is where all of this emanates from ultimately, and then you think about what is the intention behind the legislation and what is it intended to do."The BSA is intended to do two things fundamentally. "It is intended to give leaseholders protection and it is intended to make developers pay. "If it doesn't have retrospective effect then you are trying to make the act work with at least one hand tied behind your back."

Labour-run council orders tenants to remove balcony washing lines
Labour-run council orders tenants to remove balcony washing lines

Telegraph

time5 days ago

  • General
  • Telegraph

Labour-run council orders tenants to remove balcony washing lines

Tenants at a council-owned block of flats in Kent have criticised new rules that restrict washing lines and furniture on their balconies. Labour-controlled Gravesham borough council cited concerns about 'combustible' materials on the outside of properties in Northfleet as its reason for imposing the regulations. But residents have complained that the order, which also covers balcony furniture, is 'unreasonable'. Tracy, 45, who did not wish to give her surname, said the council told the residents to 'take everything off' their balconies because of 'fire safety'. 'More emphasis on fire risks' She said one family over the road from her had been told to take their washing lines down, adding: 'At the end of the day, they are saying plastic chairs can combust... Have you ever seen a plastic chair combust? 'I have a chair and table on my balcony, and I've already had to take my wooden fence down because [the council] said they would take it down and charge me if I didn't. I'm paying for a balcony I can't use.' The council said in a statement that 'more emphasis is being placed on the risk of external fire spread' following the Grenfell Tower tragedy of 2017. But resident Steve Reely, 61, said the new rules were 'petty'. He said: '[The council] leave lots of rubbish all over town but we have to keep our balconies clean. In some respects, it's petty. It's like someone is trying to justify their job. 'There are greater fire risks than our personal balconies. It's ridiculous.' Residents said a letter from the council states that items such as 'screening around metal fencing, belongings made of wood, plastic, textiles and any other materials' are a 'fire risk', and they had been instructed to remove them immediately. Karen Noakes, 57, said: 'All I've got on my balcony is a kid's bike and scooter and two washing lines. What's the problem with that? They're not a fire hazard. She suggested she would remove her washing lines 'if the council are going to pay for me to use my dryer'. A council spokesman said: 'Our tenants and leaseholders have recently been contacted by us regarding fire safety issues particularly around balconies. 'During fire risk assessments carried out at Shepherd Street, our assessors found numerous balconies with combustible screening fitted, which could allow flames to spread vertically up the building, and advised the screening should be removed. 'Since the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, much more emphasis is being placed on the risk of external fire spread.' Advice from fire chiefs The spokesman added that the National Fire Chiefs Council advises against 'barbecues, fire pits, patio heaters, or chimneys on balconies, and recommends keeping balconies free from clutter, combustible materials, and flammable items'. 'We have recently updated our building safety advice for tenants, which includes advice on balcony fire safety and a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of items that have the potential to cause or help the spread of fire, and which are therefore not permitted on balconies,' the spokesman said. They added that requests to residents 'to keep their balconies clear of flammable material and clutter' is intended to 'minimise the risk' of serious incidents.

Irish heatwave: Temperatures could hit 29 degrees today amid 'extreme' risk of fires
Irish heatwave: Temperatures could hit 29 degrees today amid 'extreme' risk of fires

BreakingNews.ie

time11-07-2025

  • Climate
  • BreakingNews.ie

Irish heatwave: Temperatures could hit 29 degrees today amid 'extreme' risk of fires

Temperatures could hit highs of 29 degrees in some parts of the country on Friday. A Met Éireann warning for high temperatures will take effect in 14 counties at 12pm, extending to all parts of the country on Saturday. Advertisement The Department of Agriculture has also issued a red warning for extreme risk of gorse and forest fires until Monday. It said hot and dry weather conditions are forecast to remain in place over the weekend with greatly increased forest fire risks expected as a result. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in forest areas, the department said. Met Éireann said Friday will be 'sunny, dry and very warm'. Some clouds will drift in at times across the west and northwest, but it will stay dry across the country. Advertisement Temperatures will rise well above average, with highs of 25 to 28 or 29 degrees. There will be lots of evening sunshine and dry weather. A very mild night is in store with lowest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees. Saturday will be 'another very warm day', according to Met Éireann. Temperatures will rise to between 26 and 29 or even 30 degrees with the warmest temperatures inland, away from the coast. A little cloud will push in across the west but it will be another largely dry day with light southerly breezes. Temperatures will drop to 14 to 17 degrees on Saturday night. Mild and very warm weather will continue through the weekend, but more unsettled and cooler weather will begin from next week.

Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Analysis 2025: Trends, Revenue & Projections to 2030
Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Analysis 2025: Trends, Revenue & Projections to 2030

Yahoo

time07-07-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Analysis 2025: Trends, Revenue & Projections to 2030

Explore the comprehensive Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Report, detailing types, applications, and end-use industries. Understand market dynamics, trends, and forecasts with insights on manufacturers' revenues. Delve into sustainability practices, patent analysis, and profiles of industry leaders such as BASF, ICF Group, Lanxess, Clariant and Ablemarle. Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Dublin, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Flame Retardant Chemicals: Technologies and Global Markets" report has been added to offering. The global market for flame retardant chemicals is projected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2025 to $8 billion by the end of 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2025 through report will include details about types, applications and end-use industries for flame retardant chemicals. Estimated values are based on manufacturers' total revenues. Projected revenue values are in constant U.S. dollars, unadjusted for inflation. The report also contains comprehensive information regarding flame retardant chemicals and their users. Flame retardant chemicals play a fundamental role in fire and human safety. In past decades, the growing number of fire instances in rapid industrialization has frequently created losses for businesses. Due to poor urban planning, human negligence, and the rising consumption of flammable materials, more fires are occurring. Thus, to minimize fire and protect people, flame retardant chemicals play a crucial role in the global retardant chemicals can be used as additives and composites in end-use industries, including building and construction, textiles, electrical and electronics, transportation, agriculture, oil and gas, and mining industries. Flame retardant chemicals have the ability to reduce or inhibit the spread of fire in end-use products. Thus, flame retardant chemicals play an essential role in power generation systems, shopping complexes, cables, warehouses, public entertainment places, oil storage tanks, hospitals and hotels, among global flame retardant chemicals market is segmented into the following categories: Type (brominated compounds, aluminum trihydrate, phosphorus compounds, antimony oxide, chlorinated compounds, nitrogen compounds, and others). Application (plastic, fabric, paints and coatings, paper and board, wood, and others). End use (building and construction, electrical and electronics, transportation, textiles, and others). Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Report Scope 107 tables and 44 additional tables Overview and analysis of the global market for flame retardant chemicals Analyses of the global market trends, with revenue data from 2024, estimates for 2025, forecasts for 2029, and projected CAGRs through 2030 Estimates of the current market size and revenue growth prospects, accompanied by a market share analysis by product (chemical) type, application, end-use industry and region Facts and figures pertaining to the current market dynamics, technological advances, regulatory policies, investment trends and prospects, and the impact of macroeconomic factors Insights derived from Porter's Five Forces model, as well as industry value chain analyses An analysis of the key patent grants and recently published patents Overview of the sustainability trends and ESG developments in the industry, with emphasis on the ESG practices followed by leading companies, their ESG ratings and consumer attitudes Analysis of the industry structure, including companies' market shares and rankings, strategic alliances, M&A activity and a venture funding outlook Profiles of the leading companies, including BASF, ICL Group, Lanxess, Clariant and Albemarle Corp. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 146 Forecast Period 2025 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $6.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.3% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Executive Summary Market Outlook Scope of Report Market Summary Market Dynamics and Growth Factors Emerging Technologies Future Trends and Developments Regional and Emerging Markets Segmental Analysis Chapter 2 Market Overview Market Definition Factors Affecting the Choice of Flame Retardant Chemicals Importance of Flame Retardant Chemicals Tariff War Impact on the Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Chapter 3 Market Dynamics Key Takeaways Market Dynamics Snapshot Drivers Rising Demand for Technical Textiles Stringent Fire Safety Regulations Restraints Restrictions on Plastic Products Regulatory Burden on Producers Opportunities Evolution of Bio-based Flame Retardants Development of Halogen-free Flame Retardants Challenge Compatibility Issues Chapter 4 Emerging Technologies and Developments Key Takeaways Newest Technology Melamine-free Flame Retardant Development of Flame Retardant Chemicals for Terminal Block Chapter 5 Supply Chain Analysis of the Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Markets Supply Chain Analysis of Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Markets Manufacturers Sales Chapter 6 Market Segment Analysis Market Analysis by Type Aluminum Trihydrate Phosphorus Compounds Brominated Compounds Antimony Oxide Chlorinated Compounds Nitrogen Compounds Others Market Analysis by Application Plastic Fabric Paints and Coatings Paper and Board Wood Others Market Analysis by End-Use Industry Building and Construction Transportation Electrical and Electronics Textiles Others Market Analysis by Region Chapter 7 Competitive Intelligence Flame Retardant Chemicals Markets: Company Share Analysis BASF ICL LANXESS Clariant Albemarle Inc. Strategic Analysis Chapter 8 Sustainability in Flame Retardant Chemicals: ESG Perspective Importance of ESG in Flame Retardant Chemicals Market ESG Practices in the Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Current Status of ESG in the Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Risk Scale, Exposure Scale, and Management Scale Future of ESG: Emerging Trends and Opportunities Concluding Remarks Companies Profiled Akzo Nobel N.V. Albemarle Corp. Arkema BASF Clariant Daihachi Chemical DOW ETI Maden ICL JM Huber Corp. Kemipex Lanxess MPI Chemie Nyacol Nano Technologies Inc. Sanwa Chemical Co. Ltd. For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

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