Residents of Archway Heights, a nine-storey block of flats in north London, have reported living with scaffolding on their building for more than six years. The scaffolding was erected for cladding works that have not yet commenced, according to residents.
The building's residents state that the scaffolding obstructs natural light in their homes and prevents windows from opening. Natasha Dyett, a 52-year-old resident, described the situation as "miserable," with some windows almost entirely covered by metal sheets.
A notice outside the building indicates that a scaffolding licence, initially valid until August 2026, has been extended for a further 12 months. Places for People, the housing association that owns and runs the building, stated that work cannot begin until approval is received from the building safety regulator (BSR).
The BSR acknowledged that "complex, older external remediation cases" take the longest to approve and cited an "invalid" initial application in this instance. They also noted that a subsequent application in January 2025 has required further information and ongoing engagement.
Residents have also raised security concerns, reporting that individuals have used the scaffolding to enter the building through windows. One resident, Natasha Dyett, reported an incident in July where a man was outside her third-floor bedroom window. Dwayne Lewis, another resident, stated that alarms intended to sound if people access the scaffolding are not working.
Community union Acorn is working with residents to demand action, including securing the scaffolding, fixing alarms, removing metal panels covering windows, and improving communication regarding work progress. Earlier this year, the union helped residents secure an increase in their bi-annual compensation payments for the scaffolding.