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GP pleads for MP to help fix cladding scandal after patient experiences ‘suicidal thoughts’
The GP of a leaseholder that has seen their mental health severely deteriorate as a result of the cladding scandal has written to a local MP, imploring them to take actions to fix the crisis and raise his patient’s case in parliament.
The Essex-based GP wrote to Vicky Ford, MP for Chelmsford, last week, “imploring” her to take the case of his patient Sophie Grayling to the House of Commons and put pressure on the government to fix the “utterly unfair situation” which sees thousands trapped in unsellable homes clad in dangerous materials.
The letter was sent by the GP after Ms Grayling visited him after her mental health had deteriorated and she had “suicidal thoughts” as a direct result of the stress and anxiety caused by the cladding situation at her block.
The cladding scandal and depression: Read Sophie’s full story here
She lives in Cunard Square in Marconi Plaza, Chelmsford, and bought her shared ownership home from Colne Housing, now Eastlight Community Homes, in 2017.
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The building, which was built by house builder Bellway, has been found to have aluminium composite material (ACM) on its facade, the same material installed on Grenfell Tower.
Bellway has indicated that because of the height and the block meeting building regulations at the time of construction, it will not remediate. But the builder has committed to fully remediating its other buildings that are are taller than 18m.
After trying to sell her home at the end of last year to move her son, who has suspected autism, closer to a school for his needs, she was made aware of the dangerous cladding on her block. The sale has now fallen through due to the buyer struggling to find a mortgage because of the cladding issues.
Speaking to Inside Housing, Ms Grayling said that she had “hit rock bottom” pretty quickly as a result of the cladding issues and sought help after having “suicidal thoughts”. She added that the stress had caused her to suffer physical issues, too, such as constant headaches, nausea and consistent shaking.
Ms Grayling is currently facing estimated bills of up to £7,000 to remove the cladding and could face not being able to operate in her occupation if she is declared bankrupt. She is one of thousands of leaseholders currently living in unsellable homes with fire safety issues and facing huge remediation bills.
In the letter, which was written unprompted by the GP, he said: “In the face of the reality that the her building is unsellable without an affordable remedial bill, Sophie is utterly desperate. She cannot remortgage, she cannot sell, she cannot marry her fiancé for fear of dragging him into bankruptcy. She also faces the reality of losing her career in the financial services industry should she have to declare bankruptcy.”
He wrote that as a result of the “extreme worry and stress” Ms Grayling is suffering increasingly from anxiety and depression, for which she has had to start taking medication. Had there been an action of the government to support her and others in her situation, this would not have been necessary, he added.
"She has been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts as a result of her depression, which is caused by the unmitigated stress of the situation,” he said.
He concluded the letter by calling on Ms Ford to take up Ms Grayling’s case in parliament.
An MHCLG spokesperson said: “We understand many people are worried and recognise the impact that living in these buildings can have – that’s why we’re providing £1.6 billion to make the highest risk buildings safer, quicker.
“However, building safety remains the responsibility of the building owner and they should meet the costs of remediation without passing them on to leaseholders wherever possible - as has happened with more than half of the private sector high-rise buildings with ACM cladding.
“We are considering a range of options to fund future remediation work and this work is ongoing.”
Inside Housing has contacted Ms Ford.
If you are affected by any of the topics covered in this story, you can get help from The Samaritans day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Responses from Marconi Estate stakeholders
Bellway spokesperson: "Bellway is fully committed to taking all necessary action to ensure the fire safety of developments built by Bellway where we have a legal responsibility to act. We have sought to adopt a proactive and responsible approach – making sure that we adhere to all Government guidance, and we remain fully committed to working with building owners and all those responsible - to put right any non-compliance with the Building Regulations.
"In relation to the Marconi development, following changes in Government guidance, we undertook a full review of the buildings on this development and working with NHBC and fire engineers we completed remedial work on site to put right defects in fire stopping, and the building was signed off as compliant with Building Regulations in September 2020.
"However, our response across our portfolio must remain guided by Government and existing building regulations. We will continue to review any changes in guidance from Government over the coming months, and step in and take action where it is required, and where we are responsible for doing so."
A spokesperson for Pinnacle Group, the managing agent of the Marconi Evolution Development: “We have worked to support our residents throughout this challenging time. As the managing agent for these properties, Pinnacle has worked with the freeholders and developers to communicate the results of building surveys through face to face meetings along with more regular updates along with continually ensuring the safety of the properties in line with Government guidance.”
A spokesperson for Eastlight Community Homes said: "We believe all residents should be able to live happily in a safe and affordable home.
"Working with Pinnacle and our residents, we will do all we can to provide transparency and help minimise the financial and emotional impact this is having on their lives. We sympathise with this leaseholder and are talking to her about how we can help.
"This week we wrote to all Eastlight Marconi residents living in apartment blocks reassuring them that their homes are fire safe and asking them to contact us if they have concerns."
An MHCLG spokesperson said: “We understand many people are worried and recognise the impact that living in these buildings can have – that’s why we’re providing £1.6 billion to make the highest risk buildings safer, quicker.
“However, building safety remains the responsibility of the building owner and they should meet the costs of remediation without passing them on to leaseholders wherever possible - as has happened with more than half of the private sector high-rise buildings with ACM cladding.
“We are considering a range of options to fund future remediation work and this work is ongoing.”
