Shocking Safety U-turn at Hilsea Tower Block
Residents of Southdown View Apartments in Hilsea were stunned last night after their landlord, VIVID Homes, suddenly declared their block unsafe—despite giving personal assurances just hours earlier that everything was fine.
From Safe to Unsafe: A Day of Confusion
The six-storey tower on the old Hilsea Bus Depot site houses 59 flats, plus a medical facility and pharmacy. Earlier today, a VIVID Homes rep visited residents, insisting, “Fire safety has always and continues to be at the top of our agenda.” The company stressed it “meets all current fire safety requirements” and works closely with the fire service.
However, the mood flipped by teatime. Residents received a letter from VIVID claiming the cladding on their building is now not considered safe. One shocked resident told us,
“A bloke from Vivid came to our door and said the cladding was minimally certified by the fire service but that they planned to upgrade it ‘to reassure us it’s 100% safe.’ Then, at 5pm, they handed us a letter saying the cladding is unsafe and must be replaced!”
Residents Left in the Dark Over Safety Concerns
Attempts to get an explanation from VIVID Homes about this sudden reversal have been met with silence. The company has not responded to repeated requests for comment.
The apartments were refurbished back in 2015 by Hopkins Mechanical & Engineering, but clearly questions remain about the cladding’s safety.
What’s Next for Southdown View?
- Residents await urgent clarification from VIVID Homes.
- Works to upgrade or replace the cladding are expected soon, but timelines are unclear.
- Local fire safety watchdogs may step in to assess the situation independently.
The situation is causing alarm across Hilsea, with tenants demanding swift action to ensure their homes are truly safe — and safe for good.
