Archway Heights residents face ongoing 'nightmare' from scaffolding
Six years after cladding issue, residents report intruders, drug dealing, and theft amid repair delays.
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Residents of Archway Heights in north London are living with scaffolding that has surrounded their homes for six years, leading to a rise in crime and a sense of insecurity. The scaffolding was initially erected in 2020 after a piece of external cladding detached from the building. People for Places, the housing association responsible, is awaiting approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before commencing 12 months of repair work.
The situation has led to significant disruption and fear for those living in the nine-storey block. Natasha Dyett, a resident for two years, described keeping her home darkened during the day due to the scaffolding obscuring natural light and the fear of intruders. She reported seeing a person standing outside her window in July and has experienced instances where CCTV footage was reportedly wiped before it could be reviewed. She noted that the scaffolding allows people to access high levels of the building.
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Ciara Squires, a 34-year-old nurse, also expressed fear, stating she had seen individuals outside her window and felt anxious returning home. She recalled an incident captured on CCTV involving five young men. Jameel Choudhury, who lives with his family, reported that the scaffolding had attracted individuals who were using the building's cycle and storage areas. He described seeing people on the scaffolding, breaking into the cycle store, and engaging in drug dealing and other antisocial behaviour. Duvets, chairs, and cooking equipment were found in the storage area, which is adjacent to a child's bedroom.
Regulatory Delays Hamper Repairs
Concerns have also been raised by residents about the safety of the cladding itself, with fears it could be flammable or become loose again. People for Places stated that planning approval was obtained in 2023 and a contractor appointed. However, changes introduced by the Building Safety Act for higher-risk buildings necessitated further approvals. Origin Housing, which merged with People for Places in April 2024, submitted an application in 2024 that required resubmission in January 2025. The full integration of the organisations was completed in April 2026.
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A spokesperson for People for Places acknowledged the complexity of the issues and the extended duration of the scaffolding, stating their desire to progress the works as quickly as possible. The Building Safety Regulator confirmed it was working with the applicant to secure approval for remediation works on a wall façade first identified in 2020. The regulator noted that the initial application in April 2024 was invalidated, and a subsequent application in January 2025 has required multiple requests for further information to demonstrate compliance with building regulations.
Dan Newcombe, media spokesperson for Acorn Community Union, which is supporting residents, described them as being left in limbo. He stated that residents have been given changing timelines for decisions over the past six years, with conflicting information from the housing association and the regulator leaving them uncertain about the future.
People for Places has indicated that residents will receive a detailed programme of work once approval is granted. The repairs are anticipated to take approximately 12 months to complete.
Questions this report answers
+Why is there scaffolding at Archway Heights?
Scaffolding was erected at Archway Heights in 2020 as a precautionary measure after a piece of external cladding fell off the building. It remains in place while repair work is pending approval from the Building Safety Regulator.
+What problems are residents experiencing due to the scaffolding?
Residents have reported intruders accessing the scaffolding and cycle store, leading to incidents of drug dealing and theft. Some residents also feel unsafe due to the proximity of people to their windows and the lack of natural light.
+When will the repairs to Archway Heights begin?
The start of the 12-month repair programme is dependent on receiving approval from the Building Safety Regulator. An application submitted in 2024 was invalidated, and a subsequent one in January 2025 is still undergoing review, requiring further information from the applicant.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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