Richard Derecki

The bereaved families of the horrific Grenfell tragedy have this week received some of the answers they have been searching for after what must have been the longest, most agonising seven years. As someone who lives near Grenfell, my heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones on that terrible night; the survivors; and those who have suffered as a result of the events on 14 June 2017. The finding that the deaths of all 72 victims were avoidable is chilling and highlights the scale and breadth of failure over three decades and more. While there is nothing that can bring adequate comfort to the victims’ families, the survivors and the local community who have lost so much and suffered greatly, I hope that Sir Martin Moore-Bick's comprehensive and forensic final report answers their questions about what led to this unparalleled tragedy. It is clear that there are many lessons to learn from the Inquiry’s findings – lessons for national and local government; for the construction industry and corporate sectors; for regulators; and for our public services. All of us who have served in positions of power over the past few decades need to acknowledge that mistakes were made over too many years; community concerns were too readily sidelined or dismissed; voices too often unheard; and more could have been done to learn lessons from past tragedies. The report is clear that fire safety and building safety regulations were explicitly excluded from the Coalition Government’s greatly-needed ‘red tape reviews’, given the importance we placed on safety and build quality. Indeed, the Coalition and post-2015 governments took steps to increase fire safety regulation. However, it is important that this and future governments take note of this week’s findings to ensure that essential protections can never be brushed aside, minimised or dismissed. I associate myself fully with the powerful statements delivered in the House of Commons this week by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition; and I echo their unreserved apology. To the bereaved families; to the survivors; to the community; and all who have suffered: the British state let you down; it should not have happened; it must not happen again. It now falls on the new government to implement the recommendations contained in the Inquiry report. But all of us in public life owe it to the families of the Grenfell victims, the survivors, the campaigners, and all in society, to demonstrate that we have learnt the lessons from this heart-breaking catastrophe, and will work to ensure that a tragedy like this can never, ever be repeated.

The third set of proposals for 18 Blackfriars Road, are recommended for approval by Southwark’s planning committee. ➡️ 433 new homes (40.5% affordable). ➡️ S106 and CIL payment of approximately £71m + £11m social housing relief. ➡️ Three towers of 48, 44 and 26 floors.