A South London tower block riddled with multiple fire safety issues is to be demolished following cabinet approval on Tuesday (December 2).
Marie Curie House, a 1960s tower block on the Sceaux Gardens estate in Camberwell is to be completely flattened after a report found it would cost at least £23million to retrofit and refurbish it to make it safe.
The building is located opposite Lakanal House – a tower block where six people, including two children and a baby, tragically lost their lives in a fire in 2009.
In October, Southwark Council’s Housing Scrutiny Commission heard how a building survey found several critical concerns that posed a serious risks to life, safety and the long-term stability of Marie Curie House – including explosion hazards and structural degradation due to humidity.
The Commission heard how more money would be needed on top of the reported £23m refurbishment costs because of needing to meet new fire safety standards.
During yesterday’s meeting, the council’s cabinet members agreed to move forward with the demolition of Marie Curie House.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The safety of people living in our homes and estates is our top priority as a landlord.
“A specialist assessment has found Marie Curie House is a substantial fire risk, and as the building is near the end of its lifespan and beyond economical repair so we will now empty the building and demolish it. We do not take this decision lightly and have thoroughly investigated the refurbishment option.”
Cllr Dennis added: “Everyone in Southwark deserves a decent home to live and we will look at all options for building more council homes on the site and nearby.
“We are proud that Southwark has built more council homes than any other local authority landlord, with over 3,000 council homes started or completed across the borough.”
In May 2021, Marie Curie residents were told they would have to leave their homes while works took place to make the building safe after it was discovered the previous year that it had multiple fire safety failings.
At the time, the council planned to refurbish the block. Of the 98 two-bed flats, there are currently only six households who reside at the building.
The council is looking at a plan to merge the site together with the Florian and Racine sites, two tower blocks also located on the Sceaux Gardens Estate which achieved planning consent for 79 new council homes in April 2022.
So far, the council has made home loss payments of £6,500 per tenant which has estimated costs of £552,000 in total. Additionally there are 11 properties owned by leaseholders of which the council has purchased eight at an estimated cost of around £2,247,000.
