Scaffolding has lined our flats for SEVEN years – we’re residing in darkness on a avenue lined with million-pound houses and it is a security and safety nightmare
Residents in a block of flats on an upmarket road in north London say they are living in constant darkness – because their homes have been covered in scaffolding for seven years.
Scaffolding was first locked onto properties in Colebrooke Rowe in Islington back in 2018 when Peabody, the housing association, announced plans to replace the block’s windows.
People living there assumed it would be a quick job but seven years on, the wooden planks and metal poles are still there.
Anna Hollister, 68, who has lived in her Islington home for the majority of her life, said the situation is ‘a living nightmare’ – and is causing her mental health to deteriorate.
Another resident said he could ‘see nothing’ from his flat on the road – where average house prices topped £1.4million in 2022.
Boris Johnson used to live on Colebrooke Rowe with his ex-wife Marina Wheeler and their four children, before he sold the home for £3.75m in 2019.
Peabody said on Tuesday this week it was ‘aiming to do the work [replace the windows] as soon as possible’.
Ms Hollister said: ‘It’s just a living nightmare. I know there are people that are much worse off than we are – but it’s ridiculous, to have scaffolding outside our homes for this long.
Pictured: Flats covered with scaffolding on Colebrooke Row, Islington, London
Anna Hollister, 68, who has lived in her Islington home for the majority of her life, said the situation is ‘a living nightmare’ – and is causing her mental health to deteriorate
Scaffolding was first locked onto properties in Colebrooke Rowe in Islington back in 2018 when Peabody, the housing association, announced plans to replace the block’s windows
‘It’s causing safety and security issues – with people climbing up onto the scaffolding and trying to get in through the windows.
‘And I am living in constant darkness unless I have the lights on all day and all night.
‘It really is affecting my mental health.’
Ms Hollister believes Peabody are taking so long to do the work as they are ‘hoping everyone will move out’.
She said: ‘It feels like they’re waiting for us all to move out so they can sell the properties on.
‘The amount of money they’ve spent on scaffolding over these years – they could have done the work three times over.’
Ms Hollister says she has also faced problems inside her flat as a result of the scaffolding – with contractors leaving a ‘3ft hole’ in her ceiling after carrying out works.
She said: ‘Back in October 2023, contractors came into my home and wanted to access the balcony above.
‘So they made a hole in my living room ceiling – it’s around 3ft.
‘After that, I assumed the work was going to be imminent – but it still hasn’t happened.
Boris Johnson used to live on Colebrooke Rowe with his ex-wife Marina Wheeler and their four children, before he sold the home for £3.75m in 2019
Pictured: The hole in Anna Hollister’s ceiling in her flat on the street
‘And I’ve still got a hole in my ceiling. They covered it with plastic sheeting – but it’s still there.’
Another resident, Abdul Salah, also voiced concerns about safety due to the scaffolding – and said it means he ‘can see nothing’ from his home.
He told the Islington Tribune: ‘We can’t see downstairs. We can’t see the cars. We can see nothing.
‘People are walking up the scaffolding. The police have been here three times.
‘Someone climbed up and tried to break the windows in my neighbour’s flat while she was sleeping at 8am. It’s not safe.’
Mr Salah, who has lived in his flat for 22 years, also told the local newspaper that, despite the scaffolding, Peabody continue to increase the rent.
Peabody said the scaffolding was initially put up to repair the balcony and the windows – but that the works have ‘taken longer than they would have liked’.
They also apologised to the residents for the delay.
Pictured: Flats covered with scaffolding on Colebrooke Row, Islington
Another resident, Abdul Salah, also voiced concerns about safety due to the scaffolding – and said it means he ‘can see nothing’ from his home
Pictured: Flats covered with scaffolding on Colebrooke Row, Islington, London
A spokesperson said: ‘We sympathise with residents and share their frustrations over the length of time the scaffolding has been up.
‘Our aim has always been to make the repairs as soon as possible but it has not been straightforward.
‘The building is Grade II Listed and sits within a conservation area, meaning any changes must be made in conjunction with English Heritage and with planning permission from the council.
‘The work also requires the agreement of everyone who owns a home in the building.
‘This has all taken longer than we would have liked and we’re very sorry.
‘We’re aiming to do the work as soon as possible.
‘Meanwhile, we’ll continue to consult with residents and are keen to resolve any outstanding issues they may have.’
