Residents' anger over flats turned into 'ovens'

Residents in a series of high-rise blocks said building works have left them swelteringly hot and struggling to keep cool during recent heatwaves.

Fatima Falatt, who lives in the Viridium Apartments in Camberley, Surrey, told the BBC she cannot open her windows or use the balcony due to scaffolding, dust and workmen outside her flat.

"It's really hot right now," she said. "We can't get fresh air in."

Another resident said he and his family were moving because of the situation in the building.

Lawtech, the contractor carrying out the works, said all windows could be opened fully.

"The scaffold was planned and designed around windows so that residents can maintain their full ventilation," their spokesperson said.

Cladding Consultants, the client representative, said the works were needed to "remove combustible material from the external walls".

It comes as the South East has been gripped by its fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures peaking in the mid-30s earlier in the week.

Falatt said she usually puts a paddling pool on the balcony for her children, though she cannot do this because of the works.

"We don't have windows in the flat, only in the bedrooms," she said.

Falatt added that she had been told the scaffolding would be in place for a further six months.

"They should have done this in the wintertime - not the summer," she told BBC Radio Surrey.

Fellow resident Steven said "it was like an oven when it is hot" in the building, which is covered in blue netting because of the works.

"The air just gets trapped," he said.

"It is just not on."

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was "very difficult to survive" in his flat because of the works, which prevent his children from playing in the garden.

The father of three, including a days-old baby, added he had tried to contact those responsible for what was happening, but "nobody would listen".

"It's affected everything," he said.

"My second baby has a skin allergy to dust. That's why I am moving house."

Lawtech said its customer service team was on site to assist any resident should the need arise.

Surrey Heath councillor Murray Rowlands, who alerted the BBC to residents' concerns, described the situation facing people in the flats as "hellish".

He said he has visited the property and raised their case with the relevant parties.

Cladding Consultants said the works were "necessary to help ensure the safety of all residents in the event of a fire".

Balconies in the flats are inaccessible due to "health and safety risks to both residents and contractors", it added.

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