Safety Concerns Raised Over White City Skyscraper Plan
130-metre-tall block planned a short distance from Grenfell Tower
The skyscraper could be part of a huge housing development next to Westfield Shopping Centre
January 20, 2022
A skyscraper twice the height of Grenfell Tower could be built a stone’s throw from the 2017 disaster – but with just one fire escape staircase.
A new 130-metre-tall tower block has been submitted for planning permission to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
But the tower has a “stay put” fire strategy just like Grenfell Tower, according to planning documents.
This means if there was a fire there would be just one escape staircase for residents.
Residents were asked to stay in their homes during the Grenfell Tower fire and the decision is believed to have contributed to the 72 deaths in the 2017 fire.
Grenfell United, a group representing the survivors and bereaved, told the Guardian: “After half a decade of campaigning for safer homes, it’s shocking to hear that a new tower block, a stone’s throw from Grenfell, rigged with a fire safety defect before it’s even been built, is being planned.”
A single staircase is allowable under building regulations but Grenfell survivors have previously slammed developers for choosing convenience over safety.
Tallest buildings would have just one fire escape
The tower could be part of a new 1,760 unit complex next to Westfield Shopping Centre. A second tower is also designed with just one fire escape.
Developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has insisted building safety is a key priority and the apartments will include sprinklers and an evacuation lift for disabled residents.
They say the “stay put” policy is in place as the building is designed to stop the fire from spreading from flat to flat.
But other skyscrapers using the same safety policy have been widely criticised.
Last week the developer of a 51-storey apartment tower close to Canary Wharf withdrew its application after backlash that it featured only one staircase.
A Hammersmith and Fulham council spokesperson said, “The safety of residents is our number one priority.
“We take a tough line with developers to ensure that anything they build is fully compliant with all safety and other regulations as a minimum and that local people are fully consulted.”
The London Fire Brigade and URW have been contacted for comment.
Jacob Phillips - Local Democracy Reporter