Understand
Why £6m Dunstable council flats at Birch Court are still standing empty
Overview
Central Bedfordshire Council purchased the 35-flat Birch Court development in Dunstable for £6.25m in 2022, but the building remains empty due to significant construction defects, fire safety issues, and persistent roof leaks. Detailed and intrusive inspections after purchase revealed problems that have left the block unsafe for habitation. The council is currently pursuing an unresolved insurance claim and has spent nearly £40,000 on security while approximately 3,000 households remain on its housing waiting list.
Key points
- Central Bedfordshire Council bought the 35-apartment Birch Court block for £6.25m in 2022, but it has never been occupied.
- Post-purchase inspections revealed serious construction defects, including failure to meet fire safety requirements, persistent roof leaks impacting structural integrity, and substandard windows and doors.
- The council stated that detailed and intrusive inspections could only be carried out after taking possession of the building.
- An insurance claim has been made regarding the defects, but there is currently no timeline for when it will be settled or when remedial works will finish.
- Security for the vacant premises costs £190 per week, amounting to almost £40,000 spent since the purchase, while the local authority faces a housing waiting list of about 3,000 households.