Developer Mount Anvil has submitted plans to regenerate the Bacton low rise estate in Gospel Oak on behalf of Camden Council, adding two towers up to 26 storeys tall.
Residents’ groups have united against the plans, which they say will ruin views from Hampstead Heath and overshadow existing homes.
The area already has one tower block – the 22-storey Bacton Tower – and resident Carl Sanders says the council fails to manage that to a professional level.
He says the Lismore Circus block, which dates from the late 1960s, has major cracks, the CCTV does not work and rubbish is often not collected.
Huge cracks on the ground level of Bacton Tower leading residents to ask how planned high rises in Gospel Oak will be maintained (Image: Nathalie Raffray)
As well as flats, the building contains council administration offices, a concierge area and tenants’ association rooms.
Mr Sanders said the council has not decorated the concierge area for the past 10 years, which breaches a condition stipulating it should be done every five years.
When the Ham&High visited, the CCTV screen in the concierge area was not working.
Mr Sanders said it has not been working for months, despite complaints and requests for repairs.
He added: “The security door rear entrance is now repaired but the screen is still not working so the concierge is blind to anything happening.”
Other problems include noisy lifts that groan in use due to rubbing on the sides of the shafts, and rubbish dumped on pathway, which often goes uncleared even after the council is informed.
He said: “It is not just about the buildings that have potential misery for communities but the way they will be managed.”
A Camden Council spokesperson said: “ We are aware of the repairs needed at Bacton Tower and we are currently working through the new statutory processes to begin significant works to the building.
“This includes decoration, replacement of communal doors and screens, repairing the annex extension, and much more.
“We are in the process of appointing contractors for this work, and we will work closely with residents on these plans over the coming months.
“As with all council buildings, we are committed to ensuring that homes in the new proposed buildings will be maintained to a high standard and that all tenants receive a reliable and efficient repairs service.”
