Justin Madders urges Redrow founder Steve Morgan to speed along EWS1 form so leaseholder can sell flat

June 18, 2020 // by Sebastian O'Kelly

Steve Morgan was the founder of Redrow and came back to rescue the company. Now retired from the housebuilder, he chairs other concerns at Bridgemere UK plc, of which he is chairman. Redrow, based in Cheshire, played games with doubling ground rents and leasehold houses, but ceased the practices

Justin Madders MP, LKP co-patron and co-chair of APPG on leasehold reform, has urged the founder of Redrow Steve Morgan to hurry on the fire-safety EWS1 form so that a leaseholder can sell his flat.

Mr Morgan has stepped down from Redrow but chairs Bridgemere UK plc, which owns the head lease at the site in Mr Madders’ Ellesmere Port and Neston constituency.

The MP was contacted by the leaseholder, who in May accepted an offer on his flat which is in a building of less than 18 metres and which has no cladding at all.

Nonetheless, the buyer’s solicitor has asked for an EWS1 certificate but Bridgemere UK plc, or its management company, disputes that one is required.

“It is my understanding that following the Government’s update to the advice on EWS in January 2020 stating that blocks of flats at any height should be considered, the requirement for an EWS1 form has become a prerequisite for some lenders prior to approving a mortgage.

“This is the situation in my constituent’s case and so I would ask that Bridgemere reconsider their position and complete the EWS1 form for the building without any delay.”