The terrible fire in Grenfell Tower claimed 71 lives, something we should not see repeated.

Today, the Havering Residents Association (H.R.A) write in the Havering Daily.

As a consequence of Grenfell Tower, new regulations are being introduced over the number of stair cases required in new developments over a certain height. Previously you only needed one staircase on buildings over 18m in height, the new regulation will require two staircases. The legislative details are yet to be confirmed and former Minister Michael Gove suggested plans already agreed, could still be developed with one staircase.

Waterloo Road in Romford is one such development that has been on hold due to the national stair case discussions. Despite Michael Gove MP’s caveat, the H.R.A have confirmed they will be installing two staircases in Waterloo Road, as they want to ensure the safety of residents and compliance with fire safety regulations.

It is therefore baffling why a Conservative St Edwards Ward Councillor previously posted on social media that the Council should get on with the building Waterloo Road as planned, yet has taken a complete U-turn in wanting the utmost safety put in place during any development.

Councillor Graham Williamson Cabinet Member for Regeneration said “It beggars belief that this particular Councillor wants us to proceed with one staircase, and then flip-flops wanting the highest safety standards on new builds. Let’s take politics out of this conversation, we will not agree to building at pace if it is going to put our residents in jeopardy. We will adhere to regulations including those that are yet to be confirmed. We do not agree with build now, with a lesser safety certificate than our proposed two stair-case development.“

Published in the Havering Daily on the 23rd October:

Following government clarification around building safety, Councillor David Taylor from St Edwards ward, has called on Havering Council to begin work on the Waterloo Estate, citing an urgent need for decent homes.

The Waterloo Estate redevelopment was placed on pause following government guidance on building safety. The guidance stated that buildings above a certain height should have two staircases, to increase the chance of escape during a fire. The pause in construction was mirrored across London with thousands of homes on pause as developer sought clarity.

Councillor Taylor raised the pause to a parliamentary committee, citing it as a blockage to the delivery of much needed homes and a contributing factor to rising homelessness.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Housing, has now clarified that buildings with existing planning permission can still be built with a single staircase as long as construction begins within 30 months.

Published on Facebook 27th August by Councillor David Taylor
A safer future for Havering’s High-Rises
I have tabled a motion to council, asking that Havering adopt tougher building safety standards for the future.
Following Grenfell, the government introduced new building safety standards. Many of these are in place and some are coming soon. However, Kensington and Chelsea have decided to go further and put tougher standards into their Local Plan. I want us to follow their example.

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