Residents ‘left in limbo’ as building safety issues remain unresolved

Residents fear safety issues with their building that have “left them in limbo” won’t be resolved for years.

People who live in The Milliners are just some of the hundreds in Bristol affected by the ‘cladding crisis’ that has seen them effectively trapped in a home that is unsellable and facing skyrocketing bills that could reach upwards of £70,000.

It was in November 2020 that Steph Pike first received an email stating her flat in the Redcliffe building has serious safety defects and is a potential fire hazard, sparking the start of an ongoing nightmare.

The solicitor has gone on to become a prominent campaigner on the building safety crisis that sees residents across the country embroiled in a David and Goliath battle against developers and freeholders while they face footing the bill for remedial work themselves.

With the freeholder of her building the first in the country to face legal action from the government for failing to fix building safety defects in another property in Stevenage, Steph fears she and many others will be left in limbo unable to move on with their lives for years yet.

Meanwhile, Railpen, the parent company of The Milliners freeholder Grey GR Ltd, is pressing ahead with plans for a major development on Bristol harbourside that could see a new office block, retail spaces, takeaway and wine bar built in a new six-storey building between Lloyds Amphitheatre and the historic dockside buildings along Bordeaux Quay.

Residents of The Milliners found about serious safety defects in 2020 – photo: Martin Booth

Commenting on The Milliners situation, Railpen has told Bristol24/7 that the safety of residents “has been and remains the utmost priority” as the company appeals an initial rejection to the government’s building safety fund to cover remedial work on the building.

But Steph has questioned how the London-based company can continue to propose brand new developments while its existing residents are facing uncertainty and potentially huge costs for remedial work.

“I’m really concerned that the issues in The Milliners will not be resolved for years, if at all, because Grey GR/ Railpen does not seem to have a plan for remediation,” said the leaseholder.

“Whilst Grey GR/ Railpen continue to drag their feet, leaseholders will be left in limbo, not being able to sell our flats or move on with our lives. It does not seem morally right that Railpen can continue to develop new buildings, such as that proposed on Bristol harbour, yet leave leaseholders to live in potentially unsafe buildings that are ultimately owned by Railpen.”

Steph Pike has questioned how Railpen can press ahead with plans for Waterfront Place while residents of its exitsing buildings are left in limbo – image: AHMM

Responding to the accusations, a spokesperson for Railpen said: “The safety of residents has been and remains our utmost priority. We have been continually seeking to engage with the building safety fund and government over the past 22 months, following an appeal of our initial application to the building safety fund for The Milliners in Bristol.

“We remain confident that the application will be approved once reviewed, at which point we will expedite remediation works as soon as possible.

“While we await an update from Homes England and the government on the application, we continue to progress what we can while complying with the requirements to qualify for support from the building safety fund.

“As a mutual, we are committed to investing and acting in the right way on behalf of the pension scheme members whose funds we invest and we, therefore, require the support of the building safety fund to assist us in our commitment to start remediation works. This is particularly relevant given leaseholders and investors like us played no part in the design or building of the property – those originally responsible must be held to account for the costs.”

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Read more: Latest plans unveiled for key location on Bristol harbourside 

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Initially set to include a hotel, Railpen’s £60m proposals for Waterfront Place are now focused on office space across the top five floors, with retail, food and drink offerings on the ground floor.

Objections to the plans have been received from Historic England, which states the proposals “will erode Bristol’s character and identity, as well as the public’s understanding and enjoyment of the city”. Save Britain’s Heritage argues “the adverse impact of the building will be far reaching” and “will cause further substantial harm to the setting”.

A decision on the plans for Waterfront Place is still pending.

Waterfront Place could be built on the vacant plot between Lloyds Amphitheatre and the buildings on Bordeaux Quay – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read next:

• Bristol’s building safety crisis uncovered 
• Civic society claims council has contravened planning guidelines for landmark site 
• Historic England oppose ‘damaging’ new building overlooking docks 
• Emotional leaseholders speak about impact of building safety crisis at Bristol rally

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