Ipswich St Francis Tower residents frustrated over delays to move back home
St Francis Tower saw a pipe burst earlier this year, flooding the block of apartments
Last updated 26th Sep 2023
Residents of an Ipswich tower block have hit out at the continued uncertainty they're facing over whether their homes as safe to live in.
St Francis Tower flooded after a burst pipe in July, meaning residents have been living in temporary accommodation since then - they've just been told they face waits of over six months to move back in.
What happened?
The managing agent told residents the flood appeared to have happened after a man deliberately damaged communal pipework.
Suffolk Police say they are investigating.
Block Management has said the "project will cost several millions of pounds" and is having a knock-on impact on unrelated cladding work on the building.
When can they move back?
In an email sent to residents last week, seen by Greatest Hits Radio, building managers at Block Management UK say it will be 'several weeks at best' before the 8th floor and above can be re-occupied.
Residents on the 7th floor and below have been told it will be 'around six months' before repairs are completed 'with the sheer number of flats requiring works let along the damage to communal areas'.
During checks of the pipework an additional 60 leaks have been discovered, which will cost in the region of £40,000 to repair.
Damage to the lifts is still being assessed, while ongoing work to replace the cladding on the side of the building has been delayed by between 10 and 12 weeks.
Earlier this year Ross Bonner, who owns the leasehold on four flats in St Francis Tower, told Greatest Hits Radio:
"It's caused a ridiculous amount of stress, it's not just stress for your business and keeping yourself above water... I've got sympathy for my tenants."
"People are deserving of simple living conditions".
He continued: "This is the first proper update we've had since the incident occurred in July...
"We want for all the management companies involved to be giving more transparent, detailed and regular updates...
"A lot of the tenants are only finding out week on week about hotel accommodation - some of them find out the day before whether their accommodation will be renewed, where they'll be renewed and if they'll have to move."
As a leaseholder Ross says he's maintained regular communication with his tenants across the 4 flats and has reduced their rent by 50%.
He has also said if they are still not allowed to return to their homes by November, he will drop the rent a further 25% meaning the tenants would only pay 25% of their rent.