New plans have been unveiled to significantly improve fire safety in London's buildings.

The draft London Plan, unveiled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, will require new development proposals to achieve the 'highest standards' of fire safety, with safety considerations being made central to the design and operation of all new buildings.

Key themes include robust fire safety plans and features to help stop fires spreading, and aid escape, rescue and evacuation – such as fire evacuation lifts and sprinklers – which must be incorporated into building designs from the outset.

Planning applications for all major developments must also be accompanied by an independent 'Fire Statement' produced by a qualified third-party assessor. This will set out how the 'highest standards' of safety will be achieved appropriate to each specific building or development.


Mayor Khan said the plan aims to give Londoners confidence that they "will be as protected as possible should an emergency unfold".

He also called on the Government "to step up and do more" to improve fire safety across the country.

"The safety of Londoners is my first priority and it is absolutely essential that we learn every lesson we can from the terrible Grenfell tragedy, and do everything within our power to make sure nothing like it can happen again," he said.

"My new draft London Plan will, for the first time, require that the 'highest standards’ of safety are set out at the planning stages of new developments in the capital, so that they can be incorporated into the design and build, and to give Londoners confidence that they will be as protected as possible should an emergency unfold.

"I am doing everything I can to ensure Londoners are better protected in the wake of the Grenfell fire, and today I am calling on the Government once again to step up and do more."

London Fire Brigade Director of Operations, Tom George, said: "The Grenfell tragedy has put an unprecedented spotlight on fire safety and it’s now vital that Government, local authorities, builders and developers seize this once in a generation opportunity to raise fire safety standards to the highest possible level across all future building developments in the capital, whether they are residential or commercial."

A three-month public consultation on the draft London Plan, which is expected to be published this week, will open on 01 December.

(LM/MH)