Evenlode was first built in the 1970s. To modernise the estate, we began a desperately needed renovation project in 2015.

The homes were poorly insulated, making them very cold. There were also no gardens or open spaces for residents, a situation made worse by significant parking problems.

Working with residents, we have made Evenlode’s homes warmer and safer. We’ve also transformed its outdoor spaces into usable places people enjoy spending time in. Changes include:

✅ Improved communal gardens and play areas

✅ New private balconies on upper-floor homes 

✅ Defined parking areas

✅ Renovated entrances and lifts

✅ Nine new flats built on the site of disused garages 

Another important part of the renovation was replacing old cladding to improve the fire safety and insulation of Evenlode’s buildings, as well as their appearance.  

However, we have identified defects with the new cladding that means it does not meet required building standards for fire safety. Addressing this issue is our top priority.

To keep you safe while we correct the cladding defects, we have worked closely with residents to put in place additional safety measures:

✅ Fire safety specialists Trail Group are installing a temporary fire alarm system that will alert all residents across Evenlode if a fire is detected in any building. This will operate until the cladding issues have been resolved.

✅ We have employed two ‘waking watch’ staff who check the whole estate for fire risks 24 hours a day, until the temporary alarm system is in place.

✅We have reviewed the personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for residents who might need help responding to a fire alarm or leaving their building safely.

Alongside these additional measures we are continuing to carry out our yearly fire door checks and repairs.  

We regularly assess the fire risk for each block and give every resident a copy of our report. You can also find posters in communal areas that explain how to access your block’s fire risk assessment online.

Read about our approach to fire safety here.

For more detail about what fire risk assessments are click here.

We’re committed to listening to your views, responding quickly to issues you raise and communicating our plans clearly.

We do this in several ways:

➡️ Housing Solutions’ staff regularly visit the estate to make sure we’re addressing existing issues and identifying new ones. This includes:

•  A full-time caretaker
• Regular visits from the Estate Services Manager
• Evenlode Housing Officer Mark Collis is on site three days per week

➡️ We provide communication through newsletters, phone calls, letters and texts, as well as on noticeboards in the communal areas of blocks.

➡️ Tenancy audits are regularly carried out to check homes are being used correctly, are well maintained and meet your needs.

➡️ We engage with the wider community. For example, we have worked with the local mosque to make sure their visitors do not park on the estate. 

The Evenlode Resident Group is a place where people who live here can have their say about how it is run.

Every three months the group meets with the Evenlode Housing Officer and the Resident Engagement Manager to discuss how the community can be improved and how we are dealing with ongoing issues.

After each meeting we’ll provide an update about what was discussed and what outcomes were agreed.

We’d love more residents to join the group. If you’re interested, please get in touch using the contact section below!

Trail Group is a leading multi-solutions provider in the UK, specialising in construction and hard facilities management. They offer a comprehensive range of services aimed at enhancing and protecting built environments. Their services include fire safety, compliance, risk management, and facilities management

Trail Group works with a variety of clients, including local authorities, commercial landlords, housing associations, and hospitals, to ensure safety and efficiency in building management.

Trail Group are installing Hyfire temporary fire alarm system to give early indication of a fire. These works will be carried out within the communal areas and each property. These works are ongoing, we will continue to keep you updated of progress.

Following the PAS9980 survey, a recommendation is to install a temporary fire alarm system.

Enhanced Safety: Fire alarms are crucial for early detection of fires, allowing for quicker evacuation and response, which can save lives and reduce property damage.

The Evenlode team is dedicated to making it a great place to live – you can see who we are here!

We want to hear your views and how you think Evenlode can be improved.

Let us know your thoughts:

Call: 01628 543101

Email: evenlodeupdates@housingsolutions.co.uk

Or fill in our feedback form.