Wall insulation replaced at tower block in Oldham

An Oldham tower block is currently being refurbished to make it more energy efficient

An Oldham tower block is having its exterior wall insulation replaced as part of an upgrade of the borough’s high rises.

Montgomery House in Hollinwood which is owned by First Choice Homes housing association, is currently being refurbished to make it more energy efficient.

The exterior wall insulation on the building on Hawthorn Road, which is visible from the M60 motorway, has been stripped back and is being replaced along with the roof covering and windows.

However bosses at First Choice say the old cladding was not the same type as  was used on Grenfell tower, and the work is not related to fire safety.

But they added that the new insulation will be non-combustible and in line with housing regulations.

There are currently 39 tenancies at Montgomery House.

The work forms part of wider changes proposed by First Choice to its housing stock in the borough, including the demolition of Crossbank House and Summervale House on Manchester Street.

It’s planned that razing the towers will make way for new family homes, as the housing association plans to build more than 800 homes in Oldham over the next five years.

It is also carrying improvement work on more than 100 properties at Montgomery House and Littlemoor House on Huddersfield Road.

Heidi Thompson, executive director of homes and investment at First Choice Homes said: “The tower block Montgomery House is currently being refurbished on our behalf by the Casey Group as part of a wider investment scheme. 

“This includes replacement of the external wall insulation, roof covering and windows which will help to provide more energy efficient homes leading to energy bill savings for customers.

“It’s important to note that the existing external wall insulation is not an aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding ‘type’ system that was used at Grenfell and although replacement of the external wall insulation is not related to fire safety, the new system does include non-combustible mineral wool insulation suitable for buildings of this nature and is in line with the current building regulations and guidance.”

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