Fire safety breaches which have left an apartment block in Preston city centre uninhabitable are to cost a development firm a six-figure fine.
Glovers Court Limited have been found guilty of four offences in relation to the conversion of a former warehouse into 35 apartments.
The Health and Safety Executive and the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service took action after visiting the site in May 2023.
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As Blog Preston revealed early last year the apartment block had been declared off limits and those with homes inside or who were due to rent out the flats had been left in limbo – and remain so.
Preston Magistrates’ Court heard how failures including no fire detection system, no means of raising an alarm in case of a fire, an inadequate escape plan and no phasing to construction work to prevent the spread of a fire were found.
Despite prohibition notices being served on the development firm and further visits in June and November 2023 inspectors from the HSE found construction work had been ongoing without complying to the notices.
The Altrincham-based firm were found guilty of four health and safety offences and fined £165,000 in their absence at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 26 June and also ordered to pay £10,512 in costs.
HSE inspector Christine McGlynn said “This company showed a blatant disregard to both fire safety and the laws in place to protect both people and places.
“Each year there are estimated to be hundreds of fires on construction sites, potentially putting the lives of workers and members of the public at risk.
“Any outbreak of fire threatens the safety of those on site and is costly in terms of its damage and delay. Many can be avoided by careful planning and control of work activities.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service added: “This prosecution highlights the positive outcomes multi agency working has for fire safety in Lancashire.
“It also highlights the critical importance property developers, owners and managers must give to fire safety.
“We welcome the court’s recognition of the seriousness of these breaches and hope this serves as a clear message to all about their legal and moral responsibilities.”
Glovers Court Ltd are listed on Companies House as having gone into liquidation in April this year.
It is not known what will happen with the unfinished apartment block in Glovers Court.
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