Latest news with #buildingSafety
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kirkby residents at unsafe flats 'set to lose everything'
A woman who has been told she must leave her flat after the building was ruled unsafe said she is "set to lose everything".Arunee Leerasiri bought her flat in a Willow Rise in Kirkby, Merseyside in 2023 and works from this year the flats, along with another block Beech Rise, were declared unsafe after failures by the building's management companies and agents to carry out required works led to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service issuing an enforcement notice against the buildings' Responsible as the prospect of eviction hangs over her, Ms Leerasiri said she is "broken" and overwhelmed by the crisis. Residents at the flats, which are comprised of both rental tenants and homeowners, were told they must leave in a private development, Knowsley Council had stepped in to fund a "waking watch" service, where the flats were patrolled 24 hours a day to keep residents safe - at a cost of £3,000 a leader Graham Morgan said the council had little control over the building and the cost to the council was has now asked the government for financial help for flat owners who were at risk of losing half of the 160 households had already left, 80 flats were still occupied, mostly by people who owned them or had mortgages on them. "I am losing both my home and my work place" Ms Leerasiri said."I feel unsafe being here, but I don't know what to do and I don't know what the future holds."It's hard not knowing when I will have to move out and who is going to cover my costs."I have home insurance but they say because the problem is not with my flat but with the communal areas, I am not covered." 'Traumatic' Ms Leerasiri said she invested her life savings into the property."The stress has been overwhelming. I am not classed as homeless yet so it's hard to find help. How are we expected to live like this?" she said."Everything is being taken away from me. Being told to leave so suddenly without any guarantees is traumatic."Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside Mr Morgan said it was an "absolutely horrendous situation" and said the council had met with the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government Alex Norris who was "very sympathetic" and was assessing the said a multi-agency meeting was set to take place this week after which residents would be updated. 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'I am losing both my home and my workplace'
A woman who has been told she must leave her flat after the building was ruled unsafe said she is "set to lose everything". Arunee Leerasiri bought her flat in a Willow Rise in Kirkby, Merseyside in 2023 and works from home. Earlier this year the flats, along with another block Beech Rise, were declared unsafe after failures by the building's management companies and agents to carry out required works led to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service issuing an enforcement notice against the buildings' Responsible Persons. Now as the prospect of eviction hangs over her, Ms Leerasiri said she is "broken" and overwhelmed by the crisis. Residents at the flats, which are comprised of both rental tenants and homeowners, were told they must leave in June. Although a private development, Knowsley Council had stepped in to fund a "waking watch" service, where the flats were patrolled 24 hours a day to keep residents safe - at a cost of £3,000 a day. Council leader Graham Morgan said the council had little control over the building and the cost to the council was unsustainable. He has now asked the government for financial help for flat owners who were at risk of losing everything. While half of the 160 households had already left, 80 flats were still occupied, mostly by people who owned them or had mortgages on them. "I am losing both my home and my work place" Ms Leerasiri said. "I feel unsafe being here, but I don't know what to do and I don't know what the future holds. "It's hard not knowing when I will have to move out and who is going to cover my costs. "I have home insurance but they say because the problem is not with my flat but with the communal areas, I am not covered." Ms Leerasiri said she invested her life savings into the property. "The stress has been overwhelming. I am not classed as homeless yet so it's hard to find help. How are we expected to live like this?" she said. "Everything is being taken away from me. Being told to leave so suddenly without any guarantees is traumatic." Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside Mr Morgan said it was an "absolutely horrendous situation" and said the council had met with the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government Alex Norris who was "very sympathetic" and was assessing the situation. He said a multi-agency meeting was set to take place this week after which residents would be updated. 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. 'Becoming homeless from unsafe flats catastrophic' Tower block flats costing £3k a day to keep safe Flats evacuated after firework sparks blaze Knowsley Council
RNZ News
17-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Part of Christchurch council building shut down for months
The annex on the Worcester Boulevard side of the civic offices was closed last month. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Part of the Christchurch City Council building will remain closed for months after an engineering report showed it was an earthquake risk. The annex on the Worcester Boulevard side of the civic offices, which usually housed the council chamber and mayor's working space, was closed last month. An engineering seismic assessment showed it only had a new building-standard (NBS) rating of 40 percent. A building with an NBS rating of less than 34 percent was considered earthquake-prone, while a rating between 34 and 67 per cent was deemed "moderate risk". Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Council chief executive Mary Richardson said the area would remain off-limits to staff as a precaution so strengthening work could be carried out. "The likelihood of a large earthquake is considered low, however based on the potential consequences and the temporary mitigation measures available, we have determined that the council should continue to vacate the annex area," she said. "Safety of council staff, elected members and visitors is paramount and after discussing the risks, mitigations and options with the council engineers and the executive leadership team, we're not willing to take any risks on that." The work was expected to take six months. The investigation and construction could happen promptly because the annex would be unoccupied during this period, Richardson said. "Although, we are still working on logistics for how the remedial programme will run," she said. "Due to the longer period of restricting occupancy of the annex, we will be looking at options to improve the working environment for staff and elected members, particularly those who have been relocated." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ICC to showcase global building safety expertise at Big 5 Construct Egypt 2025
Egypt – The International Code Council (ICC), a global leader in building safety and construction standards, is set to participate in the 7th edition of Big 5 Construct Egypt, scheduled between June 17–19, 2025, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. With more than 350 exhibitors from over 20 countries, Big 5 Construct Egypt will spotlight the latest innovations shaping the future of construction in the region. The event is held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and supported by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineering Authority. Mohammed Amer, Managing Director – ICC MENA, will deliver a presentation titled 'Highlighting the Impact of ICC on Innovative Building Practices in the MENA'. The session will spotlight ICC's growing presence in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on the International Codes (I-Codes) and the broader ICC Family of Solutions that are shaping the built environment. Real-world case studies will illustrate how ICC collaborates with governments, developers, and industry professionals to implement international best practices across the region's rapidly evolving construction landscape. Speaking about ICC's participation, Amer stated: 'At ICC, our mission is to support governments and industry stakeholders in implementing internationally recognized codes and standards that enhance safety, resilience, and sustainability. In Egypt and across the GCC, our efforts have played a key role in advancing building regulatory modernization, integrating smart technologies, and strengthening the professional capacity needed to apply best practices effectively.' ICC continues to support the construction sector in Egypt and the wider GCC through strategic partnerships, capacity-building efforts, and advocacy for modern regulatory frameworks. In Egypt specifically, ICC has been engaged in promoting alignment with international best practices to encourage safer and more efficient infrastructure development. About the International Code Council The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. The I-Codes, standards and solutions are trusted worldwide to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings. More information about ICC MENA: Middle East Media Enquiries should be directed to AllDetails: Diane D'costa, Senior PR Account Manager Email: Chamodi Gunawardane, Junior PR Account Manager, Email:
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Luton's £136m stage project delayed by building safety regulator
A £136m town centre regeneration project has been delayed by a building safety regulator as the plans did not meet the required Stage flagship mixed-use development in Luton is due to be built on the site of the former Bute Street railway station - which was replaced by a bus station and later demolished in Building Safety Regulator (BSR) said there had been several applications "one of which was rejected as it failed to demonstrate that the buildings, if constructed as designed, would meet legal requirements".Luton Borough Council said it was committed to ensuring "our application for the Stage development fully meets the required standards". A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive, the umbrella organisation for BSR, said: "The building control processes introduced following the Grenfell Tower tragedy are a vital safeguard, aimed at raising fire and structural safety standards across the built environment."They added that detailed plans submitted by the applicant for the Stage development around fire and emergency safety matters were not adequate or clear and there were a number of concerns over structural issues.A spokesperson for Luton Borough Council said: "We have consistently provided comprehensive information to support our application, responded promptly to any requests for clarification, and made adjustments where required."The development, which is underpinned by £20m of levelling up funding, includes flats, a multi-purpose performance and community area, a food court and commercial space, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Luton Borough Council's director of property and infrastructure Roger Kirk told the scrutiny finance review group on Tuesday that the delay in approving the project was costing the authority £100,000 a said the application was submitted in July 2024 and the council's "best guess at present is that the negative impact, in terms of the capital project, is less than £1m."He said the regulator had requested a third extension until July 11 and added he was confident of a positive outcome.A spokesperson for the authority said: "We appreciate the pressures faced by the BSR as a newly established regulator and remain committed to working constructively with them to ensure our application fully meets the new standards." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
