A refurbishment pilot project is planned for two residential blocks in north London due to safety issues raised in recent years.

A structural assessment conducted in 2018 revealed that numerous homes within the council-owned Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham were susceptible to structural failure.

Constructed during the late 1960s and early 1970s, the estate utilized Large Panel System (LPS) pre-fabricated concrete panels. Concerns have intensified regarding its safety, particularly the risks of a potential collapse following a gas boiler explosion.

Planning documents reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) indicated that “fire safety” and “structural reinforcement” were the foremost priorities for the refurbishment project.

Refurbishment plans encompass nine blocks, with two selected for the initial pilot project.

According to the LDRS, the Rochford and Martlesham blocks will undergo renovations aimed at structural enhancement, improved fire safety protocols, and greater energy efficiency.

The renovation efforts will also involve the replacement of windows and doors, upgrades to courtyards and play areas, as well as enhancements to communal entrances.

An application was filed in January, and a decision regarding the project is anticipated shortly.

As reported by the LDRS, two blocks within the Broadwater Farm estate are currently undergoing demolition, and gas connections have been severed in all remaining residences.

In 2022, a resident ballot reflected that 85% of participants were in favor of developing new homes on the estate, the first of which were completed in the autumn of the previous year, alongside various improvement initiatives.