An update on Holborough Lakes fire.

We wanted to give you a brief update on the situation at Holborough Lakes after the fire.

Berkeley Homes are still accommodating several families at a local hotel and have been liaising with residents about their longer term rehoming options. This is not a straightforward process as there were a mixture of tenures with some families being owner-occupiers and other being tenants of private landlords.

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council are working together closely with Berkeley and have allocated Housing Officers to the families that need it. TMBC may need to give short term financial assistance to some households, depending on their circumstances. TMBC are also monitoring the cases of all those who have been displaced from their home.

Those families who were temporarily displaced from the adjacent block due to the electrical power outage have all been given the all clear to return. Some flats required a "deep clean" before residents could return.

The rebuild timescale is dependent upon the findings of a forthcoming engineering assessment to be carried out by Berkeley Homes. Berkeley Homes are carrying out air quality monitoring in the adjacent block whilst temporary works take place to remove debris and put up scaffolding.

We haven't heard any further news on the cause of the fire, other than that it started on a third floor balcony.

Cllr David Lettington