Leading Britain’s Conversation (LBC) has reportedly seen an email from representatives at Arsenal which says that the vital works can start "after the football season." To date, the permissions to start work and put up scaffolding still has yet to be signed off by the football club.
Arsenal received funding from the government for remediation works on 1 and 3 Queensland Road in December 2021, two years after a survey found the blocks have missing fire breaks, and unsafe insulation that needs to be replaced. They are owners of the company which is listed as the named freeholder of the tower blocks.
new Emirates Stadium
Residents are currently unable to sell their flats, originally built as affordable housing during Arsenal’s renovation
The residents are currently unable to sell their flats, originally built as affordable housing during Arsenal’s renovation of the site for the new Emirates Stadium. The tower blocks have been in the public eye for some time now, having been reported by ITV as far back as March 2021.
Resident Alex Fisher said: "We breathed a huge sigh of relief. We were told we just need to get planning permission approved from Arsenal. We thought it would just be a tick box exercise, that someone in their lawyer's office would just say 'yes just crack on with your fire safety works'.
"And since then - Arsenal have just been delaying the works. The whole time, coming up with random excuses like they need to check the paperwork. It just seems that they are putting football and profit above people's safety."
Scaffolding placement
Alex has received passed emails between an Arsenal representative and local MP Jeremy Corbyn, in which an Arsenal representative says: "We have agreed with the scaffolding placement and the work is due to start as soon as the season ends."
Alex also forwarded the email to Newlon, the managing agent for the property, who replied: "We most certainly have never agreed with Arsenal Football Club to delay the works to coincide with the football season, though their correspondence could be shedding light on their own intentions in that regard."
Arsenal Football Club
Discussions are progressing between ourselves and the Club regarding access for the works
In a statement, Arsenal said: "We take all health and safety matters extremely seriously. We have been working on the completion of the necessary documentation together with Newlon, and we are committed to providing Newlon with all necessary assistance to enable them to carry out these important works as soon as possible."
Newlon couldn't "make any comment in relation to Arsenal Football Club" and said: "Discussions are progressing between ourselves and the Club regarding access for the works. Our residents’ safety is our primary concern and we look forward to starting on site as soon as possible.”
Alleged issues at Queensland Road
A spokesperson from Kier, which built the tower blocks, said: "We are aware of the alleged issues at Queensland Road and we are continuing to work collaboratively with Newlon and the design teams to progress a solution. As such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
Arsenal denies that the delays have anything to do with the timing of the football season.
