Funding received for Hanover Tower re-cladding

The council appealed to central government to fund the work so that the cost wouldn't fall on tenants and residents whilst assuring residents that the work would take place, paid for by the Housing Revenue Account, until the hoped-for funding was granted.

Earlier in the year, Hanover Tower residents saw the first sheets of new, safe replacement cladding delivered to their building marking the start of replacement work which will be completed by August this year.

Since 2017, residents and tenants have worked together with the council to choose the new material for the exterior of their building.

Of the 24 tower blocks owned by the city council, only the cladding system at Hanover Tower failed new fire tests prompted by the Grenfell Tower fire in London in June 2017. Once the council became aware that the cladding at Hanover Tower had failed tests a decision was taken to immediately remove it, without waiting for further guidance as the safety of tenants and leaseholders was most important.

The council worked with the government on this project and submitted a bid for the full cost of replacing the cladding, which will cost just under £4 million and be installed by the council’s contractor for this work, Alumet.

The council worked closely with residents at Hanover as part of the Hanover Project tenants & residents Group.

Councillor Paul Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety said: “We're delighted for everyone concerned that this funding has been given to Sheffield. Our tenants and residents deserve this. Lots of work has gone into making sure that residents will know that they are completely safe in their homes. Our utmost priority since the beginning of this work has been for them to be safe and feel safe. We have appreciated working with the Hanover Tenants and Residents Association on this issue.

“Through working together, a final decision was taken to have solid aluminium cladding with mineral wool insulation. It satisfies the issues identified in the Interim Hackett review and both its installation and its design will be checked by a third-party accredited fire engineer. On completion, Hanover Tower will be a well-cladded tower block like all of our tower blocks."