Work is set to begin on 14 residential blocks in Woking that were previously covered in combustible cladding, though permanent safety improvements may not be completed until 2029. The refurbishment, affecting around 250 council-owned homes on the Lakeview Estate, is expected to start next spring and could last up to 36 months, following approval to put the project out for tender.
Surveys conducted after the interim removal of the original cladding revealed additional issues with windows, doors, and roofing. Woking Borough Council (WBC) said the wider refurbishment would improve the condition, appearance, and energy efficiency of the buildings. A planning application has already been submitted.
In 2024, the council removed the combustible cladding and fitted temporary coverings to maintain weatherproofing and warmth. The council noted that without permanent fixes, the buildings would soon be “not fit for human habitation.” Because other parts of the estate are now at or beyond their design life, WBC has decided to combine all the works into a single project.
Leaseholders will not be charged for the cladding replacement, though they will contribute to general maintenance work. Resident Mike Paternoster, who has lived on the estate for 28 years, told BBC Radio Surrey that his flat was “a lot colder and we had the heating on far more than normal” last winter due to the missing cladding.
Ian Johnson, WBC’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “It’s a three year project and effective once we approve the contract to get the work done and get the flats up to proper standard. We don’t want to charge leaseholders for the cladding work because that, in a sense, is our fault with the way we did the building in the first place.”
