Ocean Village evacuees 'resign' to another long wait

Sirocco was one of three high-rise blocks in Ocean Village which had to be evacuated last year.

Barratt Redrow recently tabled plans to Southampton City Council to replace cladding, brickwork and panels on the Channel Way building.

The developer said its current estimate for residents to move back into their homes was the end of 2027.

However, Keith Jones, who moved into an apartment at Sirocco with his wife Diane in 2017, said the submission of the application was already behind schedule.

Mr Jones said: “I’ve kind of resigned myself to the fact that the end of 2028 or early 2029 is probably when we’ll get the flat back.

“At that point, we’re not sure whether we’ll move back in or just sell it.

“It’s been so long. We’re retired so we had to sort of move on a bit.

“We can’t sit and wait for years.”

The retired couple, both 69, agreed compensation to sort their interim living arrangements while many other residents have been in temporary accommodation.

On the situation since last June’s evacuation, Mr Jones said: “A lot of people have different opinions.

“In our case we were moved out.

“It seemed to be at the time quite stressful but at the end of the day it was done reasonably efficiently with a removal company.

“A lot of people had different experiences.

“We would have preferred not to have been moved out but given the circumstances, it was better than expected.”

Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey said he welcomed the submission of the planning application for “long-suffering” residents.

He said they have endured significant disruption and stress over the past year.

Mr Paffey said: “While I appreciate that the job of making these buildings safe is a complicated process, and that it’s important to get it right, residents of Sirocco are understandably anxious to return to their homes as soon as possible, as are residents of the neighbouring Mistral and Sundowner blocks.

“Since this process started, I’ve been clear with the developers and managing agent that residents should be kept updated and should not be the ones to foot the bill for these crucial repairs.”

A Barratt Redrow spokesman said: “Last year we identified issues with the fireproofing of the steel frame at Sirocco, as well as neighbouring buildings in Ocean Village, that resulted in residents having to be moved to alternative accommodation.

“Barratt Redrow continues to cover all costs for the temporary accommodation.

“We have been carrying out investigations into the external wall system, as well as investigating internal compartmentation.

“The current estimate for when work will be complete and residents can begin to move back home is at the end of 2027 but we send out regular newsletters and updates to keep residents informed about remediation and timings and if this changes we will make sure this is communicated to them.”