Residents living in a block of flats in Acton are calling on housing association giant Peabody to address long-running loose external brickwork, cracking and other structural problems at the development, which they say have worsened over the past year.
People living at 31–66 Hanger View Way have renewed calls for an independent structural investigation, while Peabody maintains the building is safe and says an oak tree on neighbouring land is responsible for the damage.
The housing association says it has now secured agreement for the tree to be removed so permanent repairs can be carried out, although there is currently no confirmed timeframe for the work.
EALING.NEWS reported on residents’ concerns in August 2025, when Peabody said the homes were safe and that investigations indicated an oak tree on neighbouring land was the likely cause of the subsidence.
The block, which is more than 45 years old, has passed through the hands of several housing associations before coming under Peabody following its merger with Catalyst in 2022.
Residents have approached EALING.NEWS again, claiming the condition of the building has worsened over the past year.
They report loose and cracked external brickwork, windows and patio doors coming away from surrounding brickwork and large cracks in walls and ceilings.
Other problems raised include roof leaks, damp, drainage and sewage issues and sinking ground around the building. Some ground-floor residents have also reported hearing cracking noises from walls and ceilings.
Residents continue to question whether a single oak tree adequately explains the problems and are calling for an independent structural investigation into the cause.
They have also raised concerns about gas safety, claiming there have been more than six gas leaks at the block over the past five years and asking for an assessment of whether movement in the building could pose a risk to gas pipes and boilers.
Ealing Liberal Democrat spokesperson on housing, Councillor Jon Ball, told EALING.NEWS: “Peabody must commission a full independent structural survey of this block before residents are hurt either by collapsing masonry or the nightmare scenario of a gas explosion.
“They have a duty of care to their leaseholders and tenants. Blaming the whole issue on one tree simply won’t cut it any longer.”
A Peabody spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “We know how worrying this situation is for residents, and we’re sorry it’s taking so long to get to a lasting solution.
“The building is safe, but it’s clear that the roots of the oak tree are causing the problems. We’ve been working with our insurers, the council and the nearby school, whose land the tree is on, to get it removed.
“We now have their agreement and will be removing it as soon as we can. Once that happens, we’ll be able to carry out permanent repairs.”
Peabody said it regularly checks and inspects gas meters and has found no problems.
The spokesperson added: “We’re monitoring the condition of the building closely and are in regular touch with residents on the way forward. We know this has been a long and frustrating process, and we’ll keep trying to get this resolved as quickly as possible.”
Asked when the oak tree would be removed, Peabody told EALING.NEWS there was not yet a confirmed timeframe, but said residents would be informed once one was available.
