CONTENTS – 1 Old Barnsbury Refurbishment Consultation – 2 Barnsbury Residents’ Group – 3 Huge increase in Service Charges – 4 Help to run the Old Barnsbury Leaseholder Group
1. Old Barnsbury Refurbishment Consultation
As most of you know, in May 2023, Newlon started its consultation on the Old Barnsbury refurbishment.
As well as the original refurbishment works proposed, Newlon is now looking into ‘energy and sustainability’ works to potentially build in at the same time as the other planned Internal and external works. This requires separate planning approval (Autumn 2023 planned) and as we understand it, no refurbishment work will begin in Old Barnsbury until this stage is complete.
There is some detail on the Newlon website which gives an indication of areas under consideration https://betterbarnsbury.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Newlon.OldBarnsbury.Presentation.23.05.22.pdf
Some of you have attended the two sessions offered to date to talk through some of the options Newlon is considering which could have significant implications for leaseholders. For example, depending on the solutions adopted for heating/energy supply, there could be internal works to leaseholders flats required which raises a number of queries about how any work would be made good and who would pay for this, assuming proposals can be accommodated in the various configurations of our flats etc. And for non-resident leaseholders, the degree of disruption this could mean for tenants etc .
There are many questions and we also need to seek assurance that the concession to resident leaseholders regarding zero cost on the refurbishment work includes any energy related changes.
Some of the questions raised include:
- What could the external cladding look like and will it be safe?
- Is external cladding really necessary, ie what is the heatloss through our walls?
- Could it make the flats too hot in the summer (requiring energy source/costs for cooling?)
- What size could the MVHR units be and where would they be placed? What existing external space could be sacrificed?
- What are the costs of ongoing maintenance which would fall to residents e.g. replacement filters?
- Will it be one solution for all or will there be choice for leaseholders and/or tenants within or across blocks?
- Will flats have individual temperature control and individual billing?
- Will hot water be on demand?
- What will the phasing of the work be across the estate?
- How will Newlon ensure quality (history has told us that commissioned work has often been of a very poor standard)
- Can the business case for the options under consideration be shared?
- What kind of surveying is proposed to formalise and evidence feedback from residents?
Thank you to those who have sent questions so far, no doubt you will have others, so as a next step, as part of the consultation, we are suggesting an on-line and/or in person meeting with Newlon for Leaseholders specifically to answer questions on the implications for us and to respond to our queries. Newlon has appointed a new lead for Old Barnsbury – Keith Mandy – and at a recent Residents Group meeting, Keith agreed to this suggestion so we will get in touch with a view to arranging this during July and share details nearer the time. It’s really important that our voice is heard during the consultation phase.
There are few other details of timing for the start of any of the refurbishment work, but we understand that Fisher House will the first block to be refurbished once work starts.
2. Barnsbury Residents’ Group
At the May 2023 meeting, it was agreed that the group will split into Old and New Barnsbury residents. Some residents of Old Barnsbury are meeting soon to agree the set up of the new group and take steps to make other residents aware. Please advise if you would like to join the committee of this mixed tenure group, or represent your block and details can be passed on.
3. Huge increase in Service Charges
Despite chasing, we have had absolutely no response from Newlon on this so we have escalated to Newlon’s CEO Mike Hinch today.
4. Help to run the Old Barnsbury Leaseholder Group
Please volunteer if you can help in any capacity by emailing barnsburyleaseholders@gmail.com
Barnsbury Estate Leaseholders Group 