The Alexandra & Ainsworth estate, also known as Rowley Way [Oxyman, CC By 2.5, Detail] 

• DARK clouds are gathering, Camden plans to “upgrade” our heating system on the Alexandra Road estate.

When anyone visits my flat for the first time there’s always a moment when they turn to me with a broad smile and I think of architect Neave Brown and thank him inwardly.

The original intention for the site was yet another high-rise cluster but the residents told Camden to “think again”. Amazingly, Camden did just that and in 1972 Neave teamed up with Max Fordham and Tony Hunt and designed the world-famous Alexandra Road.

Part of the brief stated the heating had to be uniform, affordable, and hidden. Neave understood the importance of visual quietness and Max buried the heating in the walls. The gas power (cheap then) was intended to run at 18° to keep the concrete dry to prevent condensation.

The council is still in control of the estate but it’s a very different Camden. All estates complain of the woeful condition of buildings. It’s no different here.

The pipework that takes the hot water through the estate is not cleaned, it’s held together by limescale and gunk, so the boilers work harder than intended. They fail regularly and are no longer guaranteed.

Camden tells us they have no choice but to provide an upgrade. Costly documents are used to back this decision but, of course, their upgrade is nothing of the sort.

It’s an unimaginative proposal in two phases. Phase 1 replaces the external pipework, our unbroken glazing will be replaced by glass shipped from China, miles of pipework will be wrapped round the distinctive exterior and trailed through the interiors and thousands of radiators and heating interface units (HIUs) installed and connected to existing boilers.

In 25 years, apparently, when the boilers fail, phase 2 will be triggered and Camden will “look” at heat pumps. What if the boilers surprise everyone and fail half-way through phase 1?

More damage to the interiors will be done when the stylish flush skirting is replaced by hefty boxing to hide the new pipework. Electric cables will be encased in plastic trunking.

Camden makes a feature if this in one picture which shows trunking travelling half-way up the middle of a wall, and ending at a single protruding socket. The radiators can go anywhere, too, apparently.

The HIUs are mostly in the bedrooms where even with the cupboard door shut the noise registers 46dB. One of the team likened the sound to flicking a light switch on and off… Anyone trying to sleep would be deranged by the morning.

Their plan is that we will be able to control our heating, even switch it off. What they don’t explain is this will lead to condensation, damp and mould. Our heating bills rose 318 per cent last year so everyone will be trying to cut them.

Camden’s “upgrade” doesn’t include any ventilation or insulation either. Their proposal won’t attract any green energy grants and there is no plan to add solar power or PV cells.

The damage to this world-famous landmark will be irreversible and the effect on residents’ quality of life unimaginable. The disruption and cost of two major works, possibly in quick succession, is indefensible. Phase1 costs are currently £15,5million. The stated budget is £14million.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW8