‘Unsafe’ west London estate to be restored after evacuation

A west London neighbourhood once branded ‘unsafe’ for its residents will be brought back into use following a £72 million investment. 

Energy and regeneration specialist, Equans, has been appointed by housing association, Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), to restore the Paragon estate in Brentford. 

Around 900 people, mostly students, living in a six-block development on the Paragon site were evacuated in October 2020 due to serious safety concerns relating to the construction of the buildings, following “expert advice”. 

Many of those affected were at the time self-isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A series of checks, like those after the fire at Grenfell Tower, uncovered structural and fire safety issues at Paragon, reported The Guardian at the time. 

“The subsequent thorough investigations give us a great deal of confidence that we have a robust plan, and we are looking forward to working with Equans and our expert team of surveyors to deliver our remediation and reinvestment plan,” said John Hughes, deputy chief executive of NHG.   

It means work can start on bringing 1,000 homes back into use between 2025 and 2026. 

Equans will carry out remedial works across all six blocks by installing thicker insulation and a new façade to improve efficiency.  

£36 million will be spent bringing building services and finishes up to modern standard, including the installation of sprinklers, upgrading mechanical, engineering, and public health systems, and completely refitting homes.  

“Following months of significant, intrusive investigations and comprehensive planning and testing, we are delighted to have been appointed to undertake the remedial and reinvestment works at the Paragon estate development,” said Dan Germann, regional managing director for Equans.  

Adding: “We are committed to ensuring that this significant project provides both safe and modern accommodation for all residents at Paragon estate.” 

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