A safety inspector says developers building new homes among historic buildings without a fire strategy are doing so "at their own risk".

Salus, a building compliance company, has not been able to "sign off" work on seven mews houses in Townsend Yard, Highgate, because developer Sean Meadows and contractor Mead Building Contractors have not submitted any fire safety papers.

Haringey Council approved plans to build the houses in a narrow strip of land in the Highgate Bowl in November 2020, despite concerns regarding the historic Shepherd's Cottage.

Work has begun, but fire crews currently have little access to the 17th century house off Highgate High Street as the site is now surrounded by hoardings.

Salus associate director Steve Moore, the approved inspector on the Townsend Yard development, said he was "fully aware" of the residents' concerns.

He said Salus cannot stop construction work, and although it can pass the plans back to Haringey Council for enforcement, he did not say whether Salus planned to do so.

"Unfortunately to date we have still not received a fire strategy that shows compliance... but as previously advised we have no authority to stop any construction work and works carried out without approval are at the developer's own risk," he said.

"Furthermore, Salus will not be issuing a final certificate for the project until we are satisfied that all elements of the Building Regulations have been complied with as far as reasonably be ascertained."

He said Salus did have the power to revert the application to the local authority for enforcement action if they felt it was necessary, but had no power over whether they planned to do so.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesperson said they were "not aware" of the submission of any fire strategy.

“We are concerned that issues regarding fire engine access for this new development remain unresolved," they added.

The spokesperson said the brigade did not believe the planning application met safety requirements due to difficulties fire crews were likely to encounter when exiting the street.

"We have requested that the local authority investigates the current situation and takes any necessary action to resolve this matter," they added.

Ham & High: Jane Hill and William Britain at the Highgate High Street entrance to Shepherd's Cottage which is inaccessible for fire crews which use Townsend Yard, currently being built onJane Hill and William Britain at the Highgate High Street entrance to Shepherd's Cottage which is inaccessible for fire crews which use Townsend Yard, currently being built on (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Jane Hill, who lives in the narrow four-storey cottage, which has a wooden staircase and panelling, said fire crews cannot access her property via Highgate High Street, only Townsend Yard, as the long passageway leading to it is only 78cm wide.

Ham & High: Chair of Highgate Society William Britain with Jane Hill at the Highgate High Street entrance to the historic Shepherd's Cottage which is a tinderboxChair of Highgate Society William Britain with Jane Hill at the Highgate High Street entrance to the historic Shepherd's Cottage which is a tinderbox (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

She fears the new houses will not have safe fire brigade access either.

She said: "These seven houses, it's not going to be safe for them either. If a fire engine can't reverse onto the high street and the only way of them getting out is forwards.

"It's heartbreaking. I thought of myself as guardian of this house, it's my home, but I'm also fighting this for Highgate.

"It just shouldn't be happening." 

Peter Cassidy, a member of the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee, said that in the past building control fire safety inspections were carried out by councils.

He was appalled that work could go ahead without London Fire Brigade's approval.

He said: "The fire risk is blood on their hands stuff. It's not a joke if the fire brigade can't get to her - she's toast."

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “As we have set out previously, this development is being inspected by a private building control organisation, so we have no powers to stop the current works on site.  This building control organisation is fully responsible for ensuring the development complies with the relevant building regulations, including consultation with the LFB on fire safety and fire service access.

Sean Meadows and Mead Building Contractors were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.

New call to rescind planning permission

Mr Cassidy emailed the council in February 2022 urging them to rescind the planning application to protect views of the historic cottage. Now he has asked them again this month, this time because of fire safety concerns.

The council has previously insisted that it does not have the power to do so.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 states that a council "may revoke or modify the permission to such extent as they consider expedient".

Ham & High: Boxed in: Shepherd's Cottage in the background cannot be reached by fire crews and the house will be barely visible when the seven mews houses by Sean Meadows are built on the siteBoxed in: Shepherd's Cottage in the background cannot be reached by fire crews and the house will be barely visible when the seven mews houses by Sean Meadows are built on the site (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

The council has previously said it cannot withdraw planning permission. The scheme was felt to be in line with planning policies when consent was granted.

The Ham&High understands that even if a local planning authority decides it does want to revoke permission, which is a rarely used procedure, the owner or developer can object and the order must be passed to the Secretary of State who has the final say, not the planning authority.