A former Bromley councillor has called for all new-build flats in the borough to be fitted with sprinkler systems, citing a “continuing scandal of inadequate fire safety.”

Rod Reed has urged Bromley Council to confirm whether new residential developments will be required to include sprinkler systems as standard.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has consistently advocated for the installation of sprinklers in all purpose-built residential blocks, regardless of height. However, under current legislation, only buildings taller than 11 metres must be fitted with sprinkler systems.

The London Plan, which serves as a planning framework for developments across the capital, encourages developers to consider sprinklers early in the design process but does not explicitly require them.

Mr Reed stated: “No block is safe without a sprinkler system. It seems that the lessons of Grenfell are not being learnt.

“Historically, across the capital, we have many high-rises which do not have sprinkler systems and are therefore potentially highly dangerous to residents in the event of a fire.”

In addition to calling for sprinkler mandates, Mr Reed raised concerns about a 230-home development at the site of the Blenheim Shopping Centre in Penge. The LFB has criticised the plans for not fully aligning with fire safety best practices.

Developers Hadley Property Group and Clarion Housing Group altered the height of one of the buildings to avoid the requirement for a second staircase. Under new legislation, residential buildings over 18 metres high must have two staircases for fire evacuation. One of the planned blocks was initially designed to be 18.74 metres high with a single staircase but was later revised to 17.7 metres, just 30 centimetres below the threshold.

A spokesperson for Hadley Property Group and Clarion Housing Group told the BBC: “All the buildings in the scheme comply fully with the latest building regulations and fire safety standards.”

Bromley Council approved the plans in March last year, with the Greater London Authority also granting approval in December.

Responding to Mr Reed’s concerns, Cllr Alexa Michael, chairman of Bromley’s development control committee, stated that the Blenheim Square scheme “complied with the relevant requirements in respect of second staircases.”

She added: “As such, the council would have had no policy or legislative basis to refuse the application or insist on a second staircase for this scheme.

“The application is at an advanced stage, and I can see no basis for recalling it to committee.”

Regarding the issue of sprinkler systems, Cllr Michael said: “With regard to new schemes coming forward, the council can only require what planning policies demand with regard to fire safety.”

The discussion around fire safety and the inclusion of sprinkler systems in new developments continues to be a topic of concern, with campaigners urging for stricter policies to enhance resident safety.

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