Hilsea councillor quizzes housing firm after cladding test failure

HOUSING bosses have been quizzed by a councillor after they revealed cladding on a new block of flats was a fire risk.

Hilsea councillor Scott Harris has written to Vivid Homes to ensure Southdown View, in Military Road, Hilsea, is safe.

Southdown View in Hilseaplaceholder image
Southdown View in Hilsea

It comes after the housing firm revealed it would be replacing the cladding after the covering failed safety tests last week.

Cllr Harris said the city council’s private sector housing team had been working with Vivid in partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service since last week.

He added: ‘While this is not a Portsmouth City Council-owned housing block, we need to reassure residents we are taking these matters seriously.

‘Vivid putting in extra safety measures to reassure residents is welcomed and the residents hopefully feel comforted that this matter has been taken very seriously.’

In a response to Cllr Harris, Vivid said residents would not pay for the cladding replacement. He added residents concerned about the situation could contact him.

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