Tenants rehoused in newly-built block of flats hit out at broken lifts, fire alarms and security doors

Gallant House, run by the social housing provider L&Q, is where a number of residents from a nearby development of 1960s apartment blocks – soon to be demolished – on nearby New Street have been relocated.

A local councillor has highlighted ongoing issues in Gallant House, which was completed just over two years ago and adjoins the Trafford council-owned Regent Road car park.

An L&Q spokesman apologised for the problems and said they had now fixed the lift and were investigating other complaints.

Coun Dan Jerrome told Monday’s meeting of the authority’s executive: “One of the biggest problems are the lifts, which frequently don’t work and there are problems with anti-social behaviour stemming from the car park.

“The fire alarms and security doors don’t work.” Coun Jerrome invited the council’s executive member for housing and advice, Coun George Devlin, to join him on a visit to the block to investigate the problems, and he agreed.

When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the block, several residents voiced their concerns.

John Heraghty, 71, was moved out of the New Street block after 55 years in February, when his 100-year-old mother, Catherine, went into a care home.

“It’s ideal,” he said, “apart from the fact that the lifts sometimes don’t work, and I struggle to get up the stairs because of my mobility issues. Along with some other residents, I’ve been offered alternative temporary accommodation at the Travelodge, but I prefer to stay here.”

Oliva, 21, said: “A lot of things are broken and even basic maintenance is not being done. The lifts have been out of order for as long as four months. We kept on getting promised they would be fixed, but they kept saying they couldn’t get spare parts. A couple of weeks ago, one of our neighbours got stuck in the lift.

“I live on the fourth floor, and I am young, so I can get up and down the stairs easily, but I see elderly people with walking sticks having real problems.

“And there’s vandalism and it’s coming into the building because of faulty security doors.”

Another resident who did not wish to be named told the LDRS: “They really need to sort this out. It’s unacceptable. They need to get on top of the jobs that need doing.”

L&Q’s executive group director of property and investment David Lewis said “We’re very sorry for the issues residents have experienced at Gallant House, and are working closely with them, offering support and regular updates.

“Specialist contractors have confirmed the lift is operating safely, and additional CCTV is being installed to improve security.

“We’re investigating issues raised with the entrance doors and recent fire alarm activations and will update residents on our actions.

“We recognise the points raised by ward members and will continue to keep them and residents informed as this work progresses.”

Discontent over the maintenance of Gallant House was voiced as the town hall’s executive agreed a new ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) with L&Q, which acquired the council’s housing stock in 2005.

Coun Devlin said: “It sets out a new chapter in the working relationship between Trafford council and L&Q and provides a framework for strengthening our collaboration on key projects and taking forward shared issues.”

However, Green Party leader Coun Hannah Spencer told the executive: “The United Nations has specifically named L&Q individually recently for its substandard homes, which is alarming, but I don’t think surprising really to hear for a lot of our residents, given that they are the majority provider of social housing in our borough.

“What will the council do to increase accountability, particularly ensuring improvements in maintenance standards for residents?”

Coun Devlin responded: “The implementation of the MoU gives us an opportunity to work in partnership with L&Q to represent what our residents are telling us.”

Residents from New Street started migrating into Gallant House after Trafford council approved plans for the demolition of their old homes, which are now largely vacant, to be replaced by two blocks, totalling 64 apartments and 24 houses. Some 35 of the new properties will be affordable.

However, such a development will be delayed as the council grapples with the issue of the six remaining leaseholders on New Street, who have yet to agree to relinquish their properties.

The executive has agreed to begin Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) proceedings, which councillors were told could take more than 12 months.

Christopher Dean, 60, rents his home in Albert House from his landlord.

He told the LDRS: “My landlord has been offered £84,000 for this property, which is way too low. You tell me where you could get a property with the space I have in here in Altrincham for that money. It’s impossible.”

Another woman, who did not wish to be named, is continuing to live in a neighbouring property with her [unspecified number of] children.