Key Points:
- Havering Council to spend around £13 million on fire safety upgrades in 10 high-rise buildings.
- The upgrades include sprinklers, LD1 fire alarms, ventilation systems, and firestopping.
- Highfield Tower, a 16-storey block in Romford, will receive the largest investment at £7.5m.
- Work aims to meet Building Safety Act 2022 requirements following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
- Completion is targeted for May 2027, with work expected to begin in 2026.
- Council says upgrades are vital for resident safety and to avoid non-compliance fines.
- Labour’s Keith Darvill calls for ward councillor consultation during the process.
- Council warns of potential disruption due to the complexity of the project.
Havering Council has approved a £13 million fire safety overhaul of ten high-rise tower blocks across the borough, including the £7.5 million restoration of Romford’s Highfield Tower, in a move to align older housing stock with post-Grenfell regulations.
Why are tower blocks in Havering being upgraded?
The fire safety scheme comes in response to the Building Safety Act 2022, introduced after the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives. Havering Council says the upgrades are essential to protect tenants and fulfil its responsibilities as a landlord.
Ten buildings have been identified:
- Elizabeth House
- Mountbatten House
- Victoria House
- Edinburgh House
- Uphavering House
- Parkview House
- Overstand House
- Kipling Towers
- Dryden Towers
- Highfield Tower
Cabinet member for housing and property, Paul McGeary, said:
“The devastating events of 14 June, 2017, which claimed 72 lives, profoundly impacted communities across the UK and our thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
Havering Council remains committed to preventing such a tragedy from occurring in our borough.”
What changes will be made to the buildings?
The upgrades will include:
- Installation of sprinkler systems
- LD1 fire alarm systems
- Enhanced ventilation systems
- Firestopping measures
- Replacement of outdated cladding (specifically at Highfield Tower)
Highfield Tower, a 16-storey residential block housing 76 households, will see the most extensive and expensive work. The current rainproof cladding, now 30 years old, will be replaced to not only enhance fire safety but also improve insulation—potentially leading to reduced energy bills.
When will the work start and finish?
The council’s cabinet voted to begin the tendering process on Wednesday, April 9, aiming to start work in early 2026. A provisional completion date has been set for May 2027, though the council acknowledges the timeline is “tight” and contingent on several factors proceeding smoothly.
How will residents be affected?
A council report noted the upgrades are “complex” and may lead to “disruption” for residents. Despite this, the council has stressed that the improvements are “essential” for safety and legal compliance.
What political response has there been?
Keith Darvill, leader of Havering’s Labour group, welcomed the plans but urged that local ward councillors be actively involved throughout the process to ensure transparency and community engagement.
What is the council’s wider commitment?
In its official statement, Havering Council emphasised its long-term commitment to safety:
“We are committed to ensuring that all council-managed properties meet the required standards of fire safety.”
The decision follows similar actions by other local authorities nationwide in the wake of heightened scrutiny around residential fire safety.
As work moves forward, the council maintains it will closely monitor developments to stay on track with the 2027 deadline—balancing the urgency of compliance with the need to support residents through potentially disruptive but life-saving changes.
