Moves are under way to rebuild five homes in Harwich which were virtually destroyed by fire.

The aim is to get residents affected by the blaze back into their properties as quickly as possible.

A meeting between all the owners of the terraced houses in West Street was staged at Clacton Town Hall and surveying and engineering firm Richard Jackson has been appointed.

Tendring District Council (TDC), which owns one of the properties, has made the site safe under its duty as part of the Building Act 1984, and it has been handed over to the company to progress the work.

The Council's approved contractors, Rose Builders of Manningtree, who are experienced in fire restoration projects, have been appointed to carry out the initial clearance of debris and stabilising the structures ready for a detailed survey and analysis.

Site set-up by Rose Builders began yesterday (January 23) and is likely to last for around six weeks.

Paul Honeywood, TDC's Cabinet Member for Housing, said the Council hosted the meeting with the other four owners last week in a bid to get the scheme off the ground.

"There was total agreement between all of us on the way forward and significant progress is being made," he said.

"There will be some disruption in that area of Harwich while work gets under way but I am sure that everyone just wants to see the residents get back into their homes as soon as possible.

"There has been a tremendous community spirit shown in the town so far and I am sure that will prevail while the homes are rebuilt."

The Council has also met with English Heritage which has confirmed the debris clearance can take place.

All personal belongings that can be recovered from the rubble will be stored separately for each owner and TDC is providing the space for the containers.

All those affected by the fire on December 7 last year either made their own arrangements or were re-housed on a temporary basis by the Council.

There is likely to be further minor disruption in West Street starting on February 13 for two weeks while other nearby TDC-owned buildings are given a thorough clean. There will be traffic lights in place over that period.
Cllr Honeywood added that the Council apologises for any inconvenience caused to others while the scheme continues.

"It is important that life is restored to normal as quickly as we can for the West Street area of Harwich but that cannot happen without this work taking place," he said.

24/1/12