Chelsea Residents Suffocate in Scaffolding Nightmare Four Years On
Residents of a £12 million apartment block in Chelsea, west London, have described feeling 'suffocated' as scaffolding erected four years ago remains standing with no end in sight. The structure was initially installed in 2022 to remove combustible cladding from Kingsgate House on King's Road, but further issues discovered during the work have prolonged the project indefinitely.
Living in Darkness and Extreme Heat
Tenants report building noise starting at 8am daily, with many flats plunged into darkness requiring artificial lighting even during daytime. During summer months, temperatures inside some apartments soar to at least five degrees above outdoor levels due to ventilation issues caused by the scaffolding.
Wossen Tadesse, 62, who needs dialysis three times weekly for kidney problems, said: 'Not having fresh air, we always feel suffocated during summer. It's too hot, unbearable. It's too dark - you have to put the light on all the time during the daytime.'
Lost Privacy and Financial Strain
The scaffolding has created significant privacy concerns, with builders regularly passing windows and entering flats without adequate notice. One resident described feeling unable to move freely in her own home, stating she must constantly ensure doors are closed when dressing or using her wardrobe.
Financial burdens have mounted alongside physical discomfort. Service charges and rent for some residents have more than doubled since 2016, now exceeding mortgage payments. Mr Tadesse has lost 'hundreds of pounds' worth of outdoor plants that died when balcony access was blocked.
Management Response and Timelines
Kingsgate House is owned and managed by housing association Peabody, which acknowledged the project has taken 'much longer than expected' and expressed regret for 'the impact this has had on residents.' The company stated that when cladding removal began, additional building issues were uncovered - a problem they claim has occurred 'across the sector.'
Peabody now hopes to complete all work by 2027, five years after scaffolding was first erected. Residents of the fifth and sixth floors were evacuated during the work and have not yet returned to their homes.
Council Position and Resident Frustration
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea confirmed it has 'not had any involvement' with the works, receiving only one complaint about a broken lift. A council spokesperson stated: 'This is a Peabody property and as a registered housing association the maintenance is their responsibility.'
Residents remain frustrated by the extended timeline and living conditions. One hairdresser who purchased a shared ownership flat ten years ago questioned where advertisement revenue from luxury brands displayed on the scaffolding has gone, noting the ads further blocked light before being replaced with netting.
The building, which opened in 2014 with 43 homes across six floors and solar panel installation, continues to be dominated by construction barriers that show no signs of imminent removal.
