London has many buildings that have just a single staircase, posing a fire risk.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) confirmed in July 2023 that all new buildings over 18 metres will need to have a second staircase, for two means of escape and access in the event of an emergency.
It also announced that there will be a 30-month transition period for developers to amend their schemes. However, the London Assembly is concerned that the transition period is too long.
It is also concerned that schemes starting within the first 18 months of the transition period will not be required to include a second staircase, meaning there will be new builds with just one staircase.
The 30-month transition period is yet to start and will only commence once the Department publishes guidance with the technical details of what is required.
The London Assembly is concerned that this lack of clarity is further delaying the pipeline of new homes, which are badly needed in London.
Because of this, it is today calling on DLUHC to publish the guidance on second staircases as soon as possible, and to shorten the 30-month transition period to ensure that all new builds over 18 metres in height are constructed with a second staircase.
Anne Clarke AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“Poor fire safety can have tragic consequences. Adding second staircases in taller buildings reduces risk. I am keen to see second staircases included in London’s blocks of flats as soon as possible.
“We should not allow the Government to drag its feet – they must publish their guidance urgently so that London new builds over 18 metres can begin to be built with second staircases.
“As well causing concerning delays to improving fire safety in blocks of flats, it is causing at least 34,000 homes to be delayed, putting even more pressure on London’s housing market.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that London has many buildings which only have a single staircase, posing a fire risk. We also note the increasing calls for a second staircase to be installed in new buildings in recent years and the importance of having two means of escape and access in the event of an emergency.
The Assembly further notes the Levelling Up Secretary, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, confirmed in July 2023 that all new buildings over 18m will require a second staircase. This is a change from the previous threshold of 30m. According to GLA estimates, this impacts some 34,000 homes in the London development pipeline that are referrable to the Mayor. However, this figure will be higher as this does not include schemes that are not referrable.
This Assembly welcomes the Mayor’s actions to date, including GLA policies going beyond Building Regulations, calling for a mandatory second staircase on buildings and writing twice to the Government in July and September 2023 highlighting his concerns at the delay and lack of clarity.
This Assembly notes the Government’s October announcement of a 30-month transition period for developers to amend their schemes to include a second staircase but is concerned that this period is too long. Plus schemes that start within the first 18 months will not be required to include a second staircase, meaning we will still see new builds with only one staircase.
We are further concerned that the 30-month transition period is yet to start and will only commence when Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) publishes the guidance that includes the technical details of what is required. This lack of clarity from the Department is further delaying the pipeline of new homes, which are badly needed in London.
This Assembly calls on the DLUHC to:
- Publish the guidance on second staircases as soon as possible, thereby commencing the transition period; and
- Shorten the 30-month transition period as much as possible to ensure that all schemes over 18m in height are constructed with a second staircase.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Anne Clarke AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.