MP's concern over homes in converted office blocks

Questions must be asked about the suitability of housing people in converted office blocks, an MP said.

It followed 23 families becoming the latest to be evacuated from their flats in Harlow, Essex, over fire concerns on Thursday.

They lived in one of 12 former office blocks that were transformed into 1,000 homes in the town under permitted development rules.

Labour MP Chris Vince said it was "absolutely a concern" that more people could lose their homes due to the "quick fix" builds.

A resident living in Redstone House told the BBC he felt "so destroyed" after being told to leave on Thursday, after a prohibition notice was served.

In June 2024, the Essex fire service said there was a "threat to life" in Joseph Rank House and ordered people living in 44 flats to vacate them.

They were both converted under permitted development rights, which grant powers to turn offices into residential premises without planning permission.

"It would be fair to question whether these developments were really suitable, particularly for families," Vince said.

"Part of the problem in Harlow is a lot of them were built at the same time, so now they're all falling apart at the same time.

"I wouldn't describe it as a ticking time bomb, but it's something we need to monitor and be aware of."

The MP said he feared some families had been let down over promises made about the accommodation.

The BBC previously reported some families had to eat, drink and sleep in their beds in Terminus House due to cramped living spaces.

Vince continued: "There is a bigger question here about the suitability of some office block conversions."

He said the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex had assured him the town's large developments were regularly monitored.

"There is absolutely a concern something like this could happen again," Vince added.

"The answer is we need to build proper, purpose-built houses, rather than these quick fixes, in order to tackle the housing crisis."

Vince's concerns are similar to those raised by his Conservative predecessor, Robert Halfon, who said Harlow was a "prime location" for this development.

But he suggested the town had experienced an "influx" of people, mostly from London, and the outcome had been "catastrophic".

"The 'rabbit-hutch' housing developments have become a hive of criminal activity and drug abuse, placing huge pressures on our local police, A&E and social services," Halfon said in 2020.

Firefighters have been offering reassurances to people living in high-rise blocks in Harlow since the latest incident at Redstone House.

Area manager Dave Bond said he wanted people to know their safety was his "top priority".

"Our teams are going door-to-door in high-rise blocks in Harlow, making sure residents understand their building's evacuation plan, have working smoke alarms, and know how to book a free home safety visit," he added.

Mr Bond encouraged all residents to ask their landlord for an escape route if they were not aware of one.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.