Property developer and director sentenced over “serious fire safety failings”

Sentencing occurred on 25 July at Ipswich Crown Court (pictured) after the company and its director had previously pleaded guilty in relation to failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued by the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. The guilty pleas were entered at Ipswich Crown Court on 5 February this year.

The Enforcement Notice was served in relation to the Cliff House development on Chevalier Road in Felixstowe, a former hotel converted into luxury residential apartments back in 2017. Officers from the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service identified multiple serious deficiencies during inspections that began in 2018, including inadequate fire compartmentation, which posed a risk of rapid fire spread throughout the building.

Despite repeated opportunities to rectify the fire safety issues on-site, the developer failed to undertake the necessary work. Legal action was initiated by the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service against both the company and Whyman.

Significant failures

As stated, sentencing was delivered on 25 July by His Honour Judge David Pugh. In summing up, His Honour stated that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service had identified significant fire safety failures, which were supported by two independent expert reports. He emphasised that it wasn’t acceptable for Dragon Wood Homes Ltd or Whyman to ignore the professional advice provided.

Dragon Wood Homes Ltd was fined £40,000. Whyman was given a 12-month Community Order, requiring him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. Both the company and Whyman were also ordered to pay £15,000 each in legal costs within 12 months.

The Enforcement Notice remains in force and fire safety deficiencies continue to affect the premises, which still cannot safely adopt a ‘Stay Put’ evacuation strategy akin to that typically used in purpose-built blocks of flats.

Clear message

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for public health and public protection, stated: “This outcome sends a clear message. We will not tolerate developers or property owners who ignore their legal responsibilities and put people’s lives at risk.”

Wiles added: “Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has acted with patience and professionalism throughout this lengthy process and always with the safety of residents at the heart of its actions. Everyone deserves to live in a safe home. While we are pleased that justice has been served, it’s deeply regrettable that it took this level of enforcement to reach a resolution.”

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service remains committed to protecting the public and will continue to support residents of Cliff House while monitoring the ongoing safety concerns at the premises.