Work is due to start on removing cladding around three blocks of student flats which are part of Nottingham Trent University after tests showed it was similar to material used on Grenfell Tower.
Work to remove and replace the cladding at the University’s Byron Residence is scheduled to begin on December 4.
The university and University Partnerships Programme (UPP) – which owns and manages the building – have been working with contractors to develop a plan after tests showed the cladding is the Reynobond (PE) model.
This is similar to the cladding called into question by the rapid spread of the fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington on June 14, which killed 71 people and left hundreds injured.
Work on Byron Residence is expected to be completed in the summer, ready for the next academic year. The buildings have been empty since the university confirmed the presence of the cladding in the summer.
The university says work will be carried out using mast climbing work platforms and ‘scissor lifts’.
Steve Denton, the university’s Chief Operating Officer and Registrar, said: “We have said all along that the safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance, and working with our accommodation partner UPP, we acted swiftly to immediately review the materials used on all our buildings.
“The remaining few students who were in the affected Byron blocks in the summer, as well as those due to move into these blocks this academic year, were immediately sourced alternative high-quality accommodation.
“The feedback we have received from students regarding our approach to this issue has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Martha Longdon, President of Nottingham Trent Students’ Union, said: “The Students’ Union has been in close and regular communication with NTU regarding the cladding and are pleased at how quickly they responded to this issue by putting student safety first.
“We hope that now the works are starting they go smoothly and I am confident that we can work together to minimise any disruption to students, staff and the public.”
Sean O’Shea, Group Chief Executive Officer at UPP, said: “The decision to remove and replace the cladding on these three blocks of accommodation has been treated as a matter of urgency. The safety of staff and students at the University is of paramount importance to UPP.
“In conjunction with Nottingham Trent University and our other university partners, we continue to review fire safety procedures across our portfolio.
“Our approach to fire safety is underpinned by regular, professional fire risk assessments, which are reviewed in light of any changes to fire safety legislation or specific incidents.”
