Thanet council has confirmed it is investigating ventilation issues and excessive heat concerns raised by residents at a luxury development in Ramsgate.
Tenants in The Atria in Queen Street say the apartments reach ‘unliveable temperatures’ with some recorded at up to 42 Celsius in the summer despite apartments being advertised as providing ‘climate control.’
Some apartments are also glass on both sides with a glass atrium above which residents say create a ‘greenhouse’ effect.
Other concerns raised are inadequate fire doors which are not ‘fire rated’, the basement resembling ‘a building site,’ incomplete gym, no concierge service despite being advertised, structural and snagging problems and a lack of communication from the developer.
In 2023 JDP (South) Ltd was granted permission to extend and convert the former Sports Direct and USC store building into 31 flats and four commercial units including a basement gym.
The proposal included four self-contained commercial units on the ground floor, two shop units, a business hub and a gym. On the ground floor there was to be a reception and lifestyle café associated with the gym, with all under the direct supervision of a concierge service.
But residents say the gym is incomplete, there is no concierge service and the other business plans have not yet materialised.
The development is advertised as luxury apartments with rents for the one and two-bed units coming in at round £1,100 to £1,400 per month.
But some unhappy tenants are now threatening to withhold a percentage of their rents until issues are rectified.
Complaints have also been lodged with Thanet council, in regards to the heat and ventilation; Kent County Council over building completion standards and Trading Standards over the marketing description of the complex.
Residents who have shared issues have asked not to be named in case of any backlash but one said: “There is an active investigation with Thanet council about whether these flats are fit for human living due to extremes of heat and the lack of ventilation due to many apartments having few or no windows at all.
“In the summer, one apartment reached 42 Celsius, and even now many residents are facing temperatures of 30 Celsius and the building remains incomplete with the basement being a building site and nearly all apartments facing a mountain of issues from finishing to structural. Several residents have left in six months or less of leasing, and many more are wanting to leave.”
The government’s Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) guidance indicates that mortality rates and the incidence of strokes increase when indoor temperatures exceed 25°C.
The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) defines residential overheating in new buildings as internal temperatures surpassing 26°C.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “We are aware of ventilation and overheating issues at The Atria development in Ramsgate. Officers from the council’s Housing and Planning teams are investigating residents’ concerns.
“Anyone living in privately rented accommodation who is experiencing issues with their property can contact the Private Sector Housing team. Wherever possible officers will provide advice and support. Further information is available on the council’s website.”
A spokesperson from JDP (South) Ltd, said: “We understand there are a number of ongoing issues at The Atria. This is a brand new development which we are very proud of.
“As with all new builds, there are usually teething problems in the first 12 to 18 months. We are actively working with suppliers to resolve any mechanical issues.
“Other issues which have been raised are the subject of ongoing discussions with both the council and individual tenants. It would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment further until those discussions have been concluded.
“We are responsible for managing this building and will continue to do so until these issues are resolved.”
Some business plans do actually appear to be materialising. A sign attached to the front of one of the shop units declares an application for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol from 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week. The applicant is Premier / S & K Kent Enterprises. I never saw the sales brochure for these flats, but possibly this is one of the promised lifestyle businesses?
JPD South)Ltd report they are very proud of this new development !
The rents are pricey for an unfinished greenhouse .
Just think of all the money they will save on heating bills, like living in your own private Thanet Earth!
Anybody passing this ‘development’ would have seen the standard of building work being carried out and run as far away as possible from it. Shoddy doesn’t begin to address it, but at least they took their hitching posts away when they fled.
So how did these flats ever get passed off ? How? Did building control even set foot in some of these developments ? No! It’s quite obvious they don’t! Shocking. So what exactly does the council have to say about this appalling revelation? Because they are to blame too!