We are committed to providing safe and comfortable accommodation in all our residences. This is why we are taking the decision to relocate students from four residential blocks at our Champion Hill residence, Denmark Hill London.

Background

The Champion Hill residence, part of the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus, was re-opened in 2014, following major redevelopment. Four of the blocks at Champion Hill; Beech, Maple, Oak and Rowan, are timber framed buildings built on a reinforced concrete beam foundation and include high-pressure laminate cladding on approximately 10 per cent of the exterior of each block, as part of the overall design.

We have identified some potential fire safety concerns at Maple block that need further investigation to ascertain the level of any risk and identify any remedial works required. These investigations are also necessary at Beech, Oak and Rowan as they have the same construction as Maple block and to ensure this work can be carried out safely, we are moving students and staff to alternative accommodation.

We are assured that our existing fire safety provision at Champion Hill is robust and can reassure students and staff that they can safely occupy these blocks in the interim.

A fifth block at Champion Hill, Platanes, has a different construction and foundation and the assessment at Maple does not apply to this building. Students and staff living at the Platanes residence will not be asked to move.

Similarly, the assessment at Maple does not apply to other King’s managed residences or third-party residences.

Supporting our students

This is not a decision that the university is taking lightly. We recognise that moving our students and staff during term time is very disruptive, but this is the right decision to ensure their safety and comfort whilst the investigations and any subsequent work takes place.

We have extensive plans to enable the relocation to be carried out before the end of January 2020.

We are working closely with colleagues from King’s College London Student Union and we will be providing compensation and extensive help and support ahead of and during the planned relocation.