Safety and security at residential tower blocks in Flint ‘transformed’ by three Secured by Design member companies

The high-rise developments – Richard Heights, Bolingbroke Heights and Castle Heights – sit ‘cheek by jowl’ around Flint’s main shopping area.

They were all built in the late 1960s to replace sub-standard terraced housing – an era that was known for ‘slum clearance’ and massive local authority house building programmes, which for the first time featured high rise living.

F.Bamford (Engineering) Ltd, known in the industry as Bamford Doors, joined forces with key partner organisations CAME KMS and CAME Entrotec to manufacture and install bespoke communal door security systems. Work started on the project in December 2018.

Bamford Doors provided its aluminium security doorsets, CAME KMS its web-based communal door access control system and CAME Entrotec its door entry panel (intercom) and apartment units – all products to SBD’s robust physical security standards.

The three tower blocks, which provide a total of 270 flats, mostly for the over 55s, had been subject to low-level anti-social behaviour over a period of time, and their external security needed to be upgraded. In addition, the project embraced a number of nearby, low rise buildings – Woodside Community Centre, Prince of Wales Court, Holly Court and Strand Close.

Bamford Doors worked closely with Flintshire County Council throughout the project.

Alexis Smith, Managing Director, Bamford Doors, said: “The transformation we have made to the blocks in Flint is amazing. We hope the customers of Flintshire County Council feel more safe and secure in their homes.”

SBD Development Officer, Hazel Goss, who lives only 15 minutes’ drive from the town, said the transformation is most apparent. “When I was a police officer covering this area the tower blocks looked depressing and attracted crime, but the makeover has brightened them up. Now they offer top-end security and they are attractive to look at.”

The Flint Strategy and Masterplan 2021 states: “Whilst externally dated, the tower blocks are relatively popular and do not present any real challenges to the Council.” The report adds: “Potential exists in the longer term to consider whether one of the three tower blocks could play a role in meeting specialist residential needs.”

Over recent years, the tower blocks have received part of a £100m makeover fund as part of Flintshire County Council’s plans to improve council housing and regenerate the town. This project included concrete repairs, window replacement and external wall and roof insulation to improve energy efficiency.

Flint has an estimated population of 15,000 and sits on the estuary of the River Dee. Flint Castle was built between 1277-1284 as part of Edward I’s campaign against Llywelyn the Last – the last prince of an independent Wales. Flint Castle is also famous as the location of a fateful meeting in 1399 between Richard II and his rival to the crown Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), an event immortalised in Shakespeare’s Richard II.

Bamford Doors
Bamford Doors specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of SBD communal solutions, meeting the needs of local authorities, housing associations, builders, private landlords, schools, student accommodation and other public and private sector buildings. They are one of the longest established communal door manufacturers in the UK and were one of the first companies to receive SBD accreditation for a communal door. Bamford Doors has branches in Bristol – serving the South West and Wales, and Milton Keynes – serving the South East of England. They have been an SBD member company since January 2013.
Email:
Web: www.bamforddoors.com

CAME Entrotec
Entrotec are trusted pioneers and leading manufacturers of door entry solutions in UK residential and commercial markets. They are renowned for manufacturing and supplying high quality audio and video vandal resistant door entry, concierge systems and proximity access control systems. Established in 1987 Entrotec have significant experience designing and bringing to market innovative systems tailored to client specific requirements to ensure the security of their property, their people and their communities.
Email:
Web: www.entrotec.com

CAME KMS
CAME KMS are the UK’s leading supplier of residential access control products and services, predominantly supplying the social housing sector (local authorities and housing associations) and private landlords. The SimpleKey Web system is a unique and innovative access control solution for all multi-user residences with instant fob administration from any web-enabled device.
Email:
Web: www.kms.uk.net