Penge: Fire organisations criticise safety changes in development

The FBU told BBC London it was “pretty shocking” Block A will not get a second staircase given the small reduction in height.

The FBU’s General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “The building is essentially the same as another building that would be 30cm taller.

“Therefore the risks are actually almost identical to a building that wouldn’t meet the requirements of the regulations.”

However, Matt Hodges-Long, from the Building Safety Register, said LFB’s language in its letter “seems a little intemperate”.

“If we look at the wording of the law, I don’t see there is anything wrong with what the developer has put forward in terms of an approach,” he added.

“The regulations kick in at 18m; this building is below 18m.”