Nottingham student accommodation owners respond after failing safety checks
The owners of two Nottingham buildings have responded to reports in the local press that the cladding they’ve used have failed checks ordered by the government.
Reports earlier this week suggested that Academy Heights/Global Point in Bromley Place and Nottingham 2 in Midland Way, both student accommodation, had both failed government safety checks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, Kaplan Residences, which manages the Global Point/Academy Heights, said: “We have not received confirmation that the panels have failed. We are seeking to get this information from the owner and landlord, Aberdeen Asset Management. We have a lease of most of the interior of the building, but the exterior is managed by the landlord, Aberdeen Asset Management. I will come back to you when we receive official confirmation that the panels have failed.
“Meanwhile, the building meets all safety standards, fire regulations and building regulations and requirements and has been independently checked and a safety certificate issued.
An Aberdeen spokesperson told us: “For Kaplan and ourselves the safety of those working and living in Academy Heights is paramount. We are working closely with the Department of Communities & Local Government and the Building Research Establishment on the testing of the cladding panels on the exterior of the building and will be following all guidance that we are given.
“Academy Heights was designed from the outset to meet fire regulations. There is a fire and smoke detection system together with sprinklers in the building and alarms in every flat. The fire service carry out regular safety and training visits at the building.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Nottingham Two told TheBusinessDesk.com: “The safety and welfare of our student residents is, as always, Nottingham 2’s top priority.
“Following tests as advised by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Nottingham 2 can confirm that ACM cladding is installed on the building.
“Following the test results, and as per the guidance set out by DCLG, we are working in close partnership with Nottingham Fire and Rescue who inspected the building on 29th June 2017, and subsequently advised that the property is not considered high rise at 6 storeys, and has all fire safety provisions in place to continue to safely accommodate our residents with whom we are communicating directly.”
The news comes just weeks after the Byron Residence student accommodation in Hampden Street at Nottingham Trent University’s City Campus was evacuated after it was found to be covered in the same cladding used on Grenfell Tower.
