Three Lewisham Council-owned towers will be fitted with  the “best-quality” cladding in spring next year, with the costs covered by £9m of government funding.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Hatfield Close 1-48, Hatfield Close 49-96, and Gerrard House 1-51 failed cladding tests, with cladding removed in 2017.

The three towers will be fitted with the “safest” type of cladding, cabinet member for housing, Cllr Paul Bell, said.

“We are having Terracotta cladding which is the most expensive but also the best quality cladding,” he said.

“It is the safest stuff you can get.”

Additional mitigation measures have been implemented until the new cladding can be applied, including the installation of domestic smoke alarm systems and fire stopping works, according to council documents.

During cladding removal work in 2017, the council found a number of works were needed on the external facade of the buildings, and additional fire compartmentalisation works were undertaken in all three blocks.

Inspections also revealed that the roof was in need of renewing, and windows were coming to the end of their lifespan, according to council documents.

A “small number” of residential landlord-owned towers underwent cladding tests, with one private sector building’s cladding submitted for testing, according to council documents.

Cladding on a “small number” of blocks owned and managed by L&Q Housing Association, at Clyde Terrace are currently under scaffolding with works to complete replacement of the cladding due by the end of December 2018.

Officers are in regular contact with L&Q to monitor progress of this work.

However the privately-owned building passed the cladding test, a council spokesperson confirmed.

Lewisham Homes has retrofitted sprinkler installations to all sheltered schemes and has begun installing sprinkler systems in hostel accommodation, with work underway in John Baird Court, Fleming House, 3 Inchmerry, 35 Sydenham Hill, and Sydenham Park Mansions.