AN organisation set up to campaign and help residents with housing problems has pleaded with Harlow MP Chris Vince and fellow politicians to meet in person with (now former) residents of Redstone House.

Emma Batrick set up Harlow Hive to (sadly) deal with housing matters such as this. For some time, Emma has facilitated meetings with residents who were concerned for their futures.

In April, YH editor Michael Casey met with residents to hear of their concerns.

On Friday, residents had to leave the property due to a prohibition order issued by Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

YH understands that there have been further meetings between residents and Harlow Council officials today.

In the meantime, Ms Batrick has written a detailed piece on Redstone House.

Power to residents of Redstone House

As part of her piece, she has called for Harlow MP Chris Vince and other political leaders to meet with the residents in person.

To this date, we understand he hasn’t.

His office issued a statement telling YH that his office is in “constant communication with the council…and receives regular updates.

“My team is working with the council to ensure the best possible outcomes for all families affected”.

Where we asked his team if he had met with residents, answers came there none.

We also believe this is the case with the leader of Harlow Council, Dan Swords and the portfolio holder for Housing, David Carter.

Two local Labour councillors, Maggie Hulcoop and Lynda Clark did meet with Redstone House residents.

Emma Batrick said:

“These living conditions are not right, and neither is the treatment which residents have endured. It is frustrating that many of the political powers that may have been able to help have not taken the time to meet with residents. While our understanding is that the landlord has acted within the law and Harlow Council has done everything within its legal power, that says a lot about how much the law needs to change to be on the side of people.

We once again urgently ask councillors and Chris Vince MP to meet with residents to hear what has been going on and seek compensation from the landlord and the building owner so that people have the financial option to move on.

“We once again urgently invite councillors to work with permitted development residents, charities and support organisations across the town towards creating a Charter of Standards for Permitted Development Buildings; featuring regular visits and enforcement measures that can be put in place for breeches of living conditions to landlords and councils which place people here – for Harlow’s long term residents and newcomers alike’.