On Thursday 23 November 2023, Woking Borough Council served an Emergency Prohibition Order triggering an evacuation of all residential apartments and commercial units in Eastgate House.
Eastgate House is located adjacent to Woking Railway Station. The upper residential floors are owned by Southern Housing Group, who are responsible for more than 100 housing tenants who have been relocated to temporary or alternative accommodation. The ground floor contains mostly commercial premises which are in separate individual ownership.
Based on evidence provided in a structural appraisal report, the order was considered necessary by the Council, as the local housing authority which has exercised its powers under Section 43 of the Housing Act 2004.
The routine structural appraisal report, commissioned by Southern Housing Group, identified significant structural defects and stated that it is currently not safe to be occupied.
The notice prohibits the use of the building for residential or commercial purposes until further testing and analysis has been undertaken to ascertain the extent of the structural issues.
The extent of the issues are yet to be fully determined and the safety of residents remains the priority.
Residents of Eastgate House have all been accounted for and retailers within the building will remain closed until further notice.
In response, a Tactical Coordination Group has been established. Chaired by Woking Borough Council, with representatives from Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey County Council, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the group is monitoring the situation and ensuring that all relevant agencies are kept informed and able to act if and when necessary.
Eastgate residents should contact Southern Housing Group for more information.