Issue

Asbestos

4 stories · discussed at 2 council meetings · 5 councils

Councils are managing asbestos in buildings, with Lewisham confirming its presence in 94 sites.

Lewisham Council confirmed in July 2026 that asbestos is present in 94 of its buildings, according to a report to the Health and Safety Committee. The report noted that if asbestos is intact, it is often considered safer to leave it in place.

Harrow Council approved expanded demolition at Grange Farm in October 2025 due to asbestos concerns, varying a contract with R Collard Ltd to £916,845. Looking ahead, Tower Hamlets' Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee is scheduled to discuss asbestos on 5 October 2026.

Asbestos is a hazardous material historically used in building construction, known to cause health problems when inhaled. Councils are identifying, assessing, and controlling asbestos-containing materials to prevent exposure and health risks within their properties.

Key facts

  1. Lewisham Council confirmed asbestos in 94 of its buildings in July 2026. Source
  2. Harrow Council approved expanded demolition at Grange Farm in October 2025 due to asbestos concerns. Source
  3. Harrow Council varied the demolition contract to £916,845 in October 2025. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Lewisham Council Buildings Contain Asbestos in 94 Sites Lewisham Council has confirmed that asbestos is present in 94 of its buildings, according to a report presented to the Health and Safety Committee. The report, available in the... Lewisham 10 July 2026
  2. Council approves new housing repairs contracts Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet has approved a new procurement strategy for housing repairs services, paving the way for new contracts valued at millions of pounds. The... Waltham Forest 6 June 2026
  3. Islington Council Addresses Housing Complaint Delays and Performance Islington Council is taking steps to address delays in handling housing complaints, according to a recent meeting of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee. The council's... Islington 16 November 2025
  4. Harrow Approves Expanded Demolition at Grange Farm Due to Asbestos Concerns Harrow Council has approved the demolition of two additional blocks at Grange Farm, citing health and safety concerns related to asbestos discovered during ongoing demolition... Harrow 2 November 2025