Those behind the development of Cardinal Lofts "have much to answer for" says its freeholders as the town's MP aims to bring the secretary of state to the building.
At the weekend, Ipswich Cladiators campaign group hung a banner from the balcony of a Cardinal Lofts flat which reads: "Railpen: Start the work."
The residents said that the meeting, which was urgently arranged by MP Tom Hunt, was very “emotional” due to the seriousness of their situation.
A Grey GR spokesperson said: “Grey cares about the wellbeing and safety of residents at Cardinal Lofts and have always acted on new information in their best interests, including the difficult decision to ask everyone to evacuate the building in February.
"Since then, we have acted quickly to provide residents with alternative accommodation, with the majority now in apartment accommodation, and the remaining in short-term accommodation while we source accommodation which suits their needs.
“Leaseholders and residents want us to remediate Cardinal Lofts, and Grey is fully committed to remediating and to return residents to safer homes. Recent surveys, including further intrusive investigations last week, are as a result of our ongoing commitment and are informing the development of remediation plans.
“This is a very challenging time for residents, and we are sincerely sorry for the disruption, and we respect their desire to express their upset at this situation. This building’s development history is extremely complex, and the developers have much to answer for.
“We continue to try and engage constructively with all those involved and provide regular updates to leaseholders and residents. Whilst the property is considered unsafe, we ask all residents to comply with the Prohibition Order and leave the building.”
Ipswich MP Tom Hunt says he hopes to show the secretary of state around Cardinal Lofts soon as he said urgent answers to concerns must be provided.
Mr Hunt said: “It is clear that residents are left feeling anxious and in limbo following the meeting and the freeholders of the building must provide urgent answers to these open questions regarding how we got here and what the future holds.
“Behaviour like this, which has such a devastating effect on residents cannot be tolerated, and I will work tirelessly with residents, and Ipswich Cladiators, to take shameful behaviour from the freeholders to task and see that compensation is fought for.
“I encourage any other residents in Cardinal Lofts with concerns to get in touch with my office where I will be happy to assist as best as possible.”
Timeline of events:
November 15 - Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service issues a prohibition notice for three floors in Cardinal Lofts, covering 15 flats on floors seven to nine. A waking watch is put in place for the rest of the building
November 16 - Residents asked to leave said they feel left in the dark after being asked to evacuate their homes
November 16 - Ipswich MP Tom Hunt meets with minister for building safety Lee Rowley to make the government aware of what's going on following the evacuation
November 23 - Letter sent saying temporary accommodation will be set up for evacuated residents until January 2023
December 7 - Ipswich MP Tom Hunt meets residents at Cardinal Lofts three weeks on from the evacuation
December 17 - The partial evacuation of the flat complex is extended until January 2024
February 21 - Grey GR announces Cardinal Lofts is "no longer safe for occupation" following the results of several in-depth reports
February 26 - Residents left 'angry' after 'threatening' prohibition letter
February 27 - Residents of eight flats are understood to have not yet evacauted Cardinal Lofts
March 2 – Grey GR said "it is crucial that residents understand the risk to their safety”
March 9 – Cardinal Lofts residents fear over new flat offer
March 14 – Fire service issues second safety notice
March 15 – Residents have issued an ultimatum following further defects discovered at Cardinal Lofts
March 17 – Cardinal Lofts residents meet with fire service
March 18 – Frustrated Cardinal Lofts residents stage protest
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