Enfield Council is pleased to announce the successful relocation of all tenants from Walbrook House, a 23-storey tower block in Lower Edmonton comprising 126 flats.
Built in the 1960s, Walbrook House has faced significant challenges in recent years. Assessments revealed that essential repairs costs had escalated from an initial estimate of £14 million in 2020 to over £30 million, due to skyrocketing material and supply costs.
These financial pressures, compounded by years of underfunding from previous governments, made the refurbishment costs unjustifiable. Consequently, the Council made the difficult decision to ask and assist residents of the block to vacate to protect them from potential safety issues.
Councillor Ayten Guzel, Cabinet Member for Housing at Enfield Council, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents have always been our top priority. After thorough assessments and considering the financial challenges, we determined that relocating residents from Walbrook House was the most responsible decision. We are grateful to all of our residents for their cooperation during this time and remain committed to providing safe and affordable homes for our community."
The Council has worked hard to ensure that all former tenants of Walbrook House have been offered suitable alternative homes. The Council continues to lobby for funding to repair the block. We also continue to work with leaseholders to offer support in relocating in this event. Should funding become available, leaseholders would be due to contribute to this in accordance with the terms of their lease.
If no funding becomes available for the refurbishment of the building, the Council will consider future options including a potential disposal.
Cllr Guzel added: “The Council will continue to update the community throughout this process. This decision reflects Enfield Council's ongoing commitment to maintaining the safety of our residents and addressing the challenges posed by aging blocks, despite financial constraints.”