In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Theresa Villiers MP called for an immediate review to establish whether any of the problems that contributed to the tragedy affect homes in Barnet. Ms Villiers subsequently received assurances from the Leader of the Council, Richard Cornelius, that Barnet Council is undertaking an immediate re-examination and risk assessment of all residential high-rise blocks which they run, including examining whether there is any cladding of the kind used at Grenfell Tower.
The Council’s Housing Committee will oversee a programme of investment, based on advice from the London Fire Brigade, to provide added safety and reassurance to residents, including the installation of sprinkers where needed. The Council are also working to try to establish the status of cladding on privately-owned blocks.
Theresa has submitted written questions in Parliament asking for a review of the ‘permitted development rights’ which currently allow developers to convert tall office buildings into residential accommodation without planning permission. These rights are the reason behind the proposal to convert offices in Barnet House into 254 tiny flats of just 16 square metres, a proposal which was met with horror by local residents and local ward councillors.
This morning Ms Villiers asked the Prime Minister a question in Parliament calling for action to improve safety measures in high-rise buildings.
Theresa said: “We all feel the same sickening horror about what happened at Grenfell Tower, and it is our duty to do all we can to try to prevent something like this ever happening again.”
“People living in high-rise buildings in Barnet will be worried about fire safety after the terrible events which took place in Kensington. I welcome the work underway by Barnet Council to review the high-rise residential blocks they oversee to establish whether any of the problems which contributed to the Grenfell disaster are present in Barnet. It is also reassuring that the Council has made a commitment to invest in new fire safety measures. In Parliament today I asked the Prime Minister a question urging other local authorities to do the same.”
“It is important that the owners of privately-owned blocks also take action, particularly where cladding has taken place. I will be pressing them to do that. I also believe the Grenfell disaster means we need to reconsider the permitted development rights that allow former office blocks turned into flats without planning permission. I will continue to raise these important matters in Parliament.”