Enfield Council is considering a number of options for the future of Cheshire House and Shropshire House in Edmonton, including moving every resident out of the buildings permanently and decommissioning the buildings.
An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “A hugely expensive and massively disruptive repairs programme - to the tune of £53 million - would be required to bring these blocks up to standard in the short term. Leaseholders would also be obliged to make significant contributions.
“We need to consider whether carrying out extensive and costly repair work to maintain aging 1960s housing blocks is best value for money and offers the best way to provide better housing for our residents.”
Enfield Council is launching a series of engagement exercises over the coming weeks, where residents at Cheshire House and Shropshire House can speak to officers about their experiences and plans for the future.
An Enfield Council spokesperson added: “The safety and comfort of our residents is our main priority. We appreciate that the recent emergency work that was undertaken at the Shires after the gas supply was cut off at Cheshire House by the gas supplier has been disruptive. We now need to ensure that residents get the decent, safe and future-proofed housing they deserve.”
Enfield Council is already on site speaking with residents and will use any feedback to inform decisions around the future of Cheshire House and Shropshire House. On site drop-in sessions will also be held at intervals between 1 and 18 March.
As well as the on-site, drop-in meetings, Enfield Council has written to residents and will be carrying out door-to-door conversations to address the issues of this aged estate. A decision on how to move forward will be made by the Summer of 2023.