Local MP Alan Mak has successfully campaigned for new fire safety measures at Havant’s three high-rise residential apartment blocks, all located in West Leigh in Leigh Park, Havant.
Langstone House, Chichester House and Solent House in West Leigh have all benefitted from new sprinkler systems installed by the building owners The Guinness Partnership. The new and modern system is fed by a 6000 litre capacity water tank in the basement of each tower. In addition, each tower block has also been fitted with a new fire alarm detection system to alert residents to fires.
Approximately £6 million of investment is being deployed by Guinness following a campaign by local MP Alan Mak. As well as the new sprinkler system, this money will go towards replacing old PVC window frames with aluminium ones, replacing timber balconies with new flame retardant materials, and a new dedicated Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) will work with residents of the three towers to minimise disruption to their daily lives.
All these improvement works are designed to improve fire safety at the towers following the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017. Although none of the 3 towers in Havant use any cladding, Alan Mak MP has been working with Guinness to improve fire safety at the sites.
Local MP Alan Mak said: “The Grenfell Tower disaster was a tragic reminder to us all to take fire safety seriously especially in high-rises. My campaign to improve fire safety has delivered results, with Guinness Group investing £6 million into West Leigh to make their tower blocks safer for all residents.”
Ian Joynson, Executive Director of Asset Management for Guinness said: “We agree with Alan Mak MP that fire safety is crucial, and this remains Guinness’s top priority. We are retrofitting sprinkler systems in all our high rise buildings across the country – even though this is not a legal requirement. Where we can, we exceed rather than simply comply with building safety regulations. We recognise how important it is for all our residents to be safe and feel safe in their homes. We are pleased to have successfully delivered the installation of sprinkler systems at our taller buildings in West Leigh.”
Local MP Alan Mak met with representatives from the Guinness Group, and Havant Borough Councillor for Bondfields Alex Rennie, to inspect the new sprinkler system and other fire safety measures [1][2]
