Council backs its choice of Grenfell contractor
Firm is appointed to lead work on Innovation Centre
Maidstone council has defended its choice of a company involved in the Grenfell Tower refurbishment as a developer of its new innovation centre.
Rydon Construction has been appointed to deliver the office building at the Kent Medical Campus, near Junction 7 of the M20.
Rydon was the lead company in rennovations at the tower in West London, before a huge fire broke out in June 2017, resulting in one of the worst peacetime disasters with 72 deaths and 70 people injured.
A public inquiry to determine the cause of the fire is due to resume soon, but in November, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the contractor “should not bid for further public work” until investigations were complete. But he did not impose a ban.
A council spokesman said Rydon Construction was selected as preferred contractor via a process held in accordance with public procurement regulations, with cost and quality criteria evaluated.
“Maidstone council will ensure Rydon employs a suitably qualified organisation to ensure full compliance with current building regulations, as it does with all its contractors,” they added.
Rydon was selected in October, a month before the Housing Secretary’s remarks, which the council said were made in the context “of high-rise residential buildings.”
Despite protests from Grenfell United, the residents group representing victims and survivors of the fire, Rydon remains on the Government’s list of approved contractors for high-rise housing projects.
The Maidstone Innovation Centre will provide 37,000 sq ft of flexible office space for companies and is scheduled for completion in 2021.