• WEST Kentish Town estate was first planned by St Pancras Borough Council in the 1950s.

In 1958 a design was drawn up by Sir Leslie Martin, a very well-known architect, but it was too expensive.

When the Conservatives came into power in the following year they ditched the first design in favour of an innovative form of off-site construction in order to reduce costs and speed up construction.

There were inevitably a few teething problems after the estate was finished, for example, water leaking through the joints.

These defects were dealt with by a comprehensive refurbishment programme of over-cladding in 1983. Double-glazed windows were added in 1996.

Current problems of mould and condensation are a result of a lack of ventilation and leaking roofs.

Any insulated and sealed building needs effective ventilation to avoid condensation. The extract fans in all flats should be repaired or replaced as a matter of urgency.

The roof finishes were end-of-life around 20 years ago. For those blocks that are not due to be demolished for three to four years, a temporary roof should be provided.

ALICE BROWN RIBA
Bassett Street, NW5