That’s more like it
SPRINKLERS TO BE FITTED IN TYNESIDE LANDMARK BUILDING
SPRINKLERS may be installed in part of Newcastle’s Byker Wall following the Grenfell tower disaster.
Tom Collins House which makes up part of the Wall is due to be refurbished, with aluminium cladding panels replaced and sprinklers retro-fitted in the grade II listed 1970s flat block.
In an application to Newcastle City Council the Byker Community Trust has asked for permission to install sprinklers, move bin stores and change cladding as part of a multi-million investment scheme to update the flats.
In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, in which at least 80 people died, we launched our What Price Life campaign and called on all local housing authorities to test cladding on tower blocks and retrofit sprinkler systems.
The Byker Community Trust confirmed it had tested the cladding on the thirteen-storey Tom Collins House and although it passed all safety measures, the organisation decided to replace the cladding because of its age as the aluminium cladding on the building dates back to the 1970s when the iconic brutalist building was first completed.
In initial planning documents property consultants Storm Tempest said the changes were fire safety measures in light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, however they have since said this was inaccurate and that only the sprinkler system application is in response to the deadly blaze.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: “In addition, and although not a requirement of building regulations, Byker Community Trust are investigating the feasibility of installing a sprinkler system as part of the invest- ment works to Tom Collins House.
“None of the buildings which are owned by the Byker Community Trust are fitted with aluminium composite material, which was the type of cladding installed externally on Grenfell Tower, and the cladding at Tom Collins House is only being renewed due to its age and condition as it is the original cladding from when it was built in the early 1970s. “We have worked closely with Historic England and Newcastle City Council to ensure all improvement works are delivered in accordance with the grade II listed status of these buildings.” The Byker Community Trust housing association was established in July 2012 and has already invested £20.5m in the Byker Estate. Residents of the tallest part of the Byker Wall, Tom Collins House and Mount Pleasant sheltered housing schemes have been consulted on the proposed £2m of work, the Trust says. The work will include painting and decorating, upgrade of communal landlord services including fire safety works, the replacement of existing cladding at Tom Collins House due to its age and condition and other external repairs and improvements to the communal gardens.
Although not a requirement of regulations... we are investigating the feasibility of installing a sprinkler system