Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Fire safety is compromised by sprinkler refusal, says council
But Town and Country have repeatedly resisted calls to install sprinklers this time around, despite fire chiefs claiming people would have died if the blaze had struck at night.
The company has also ignored a unanimous vote by city councillors supporting the call for improved safety measures.
Mr Carmichael has now written to the company’s chief executive Bob Heapy, saying: “As you will know, the council has been very concerned for some time about the question of fire protection in the Tannery development – and particularly in the rebuilding of the area destroyed by fire.”
He adds:“we are aware that Planning and Building Control regulations have specific requirements and limitations and we are not suggesting that you are not in compliance with those regulations.
“We do, however, believe that it would be in the interests of fire safety for you to comply with our strong recommendation.
“I am also aware that our head of planning did make that recommendation to you as part of the discussions you held with us leading to the decision to rebuild the destroyed area.”
Fire spread rapidly through the block on July 4, 2015, sending thick clouds of black smoke into the sky.
No one was hurt in the blaze but the middle section of the block was completely destroyed and later torn down.
Work on the rebuild started ear- lier this summer.
Town and Country has refused to comment except to say that it will be responding to the council.