Grenfell tower

• IN July 2017 Camden granted approval for a monstrous redevelopment on the Morrisons site in Chalk Farm – it represented considerable overdevelopment, very poor architectural treatment, and completely ignored Camden’s own development plan for the area.

It seems hardly credible the developer is now seeking to increase the number of units on the site, which requires raising the height of the majority of the buildings previously approved, reducing the size of the internal courtyards of the residential blocks and removing an additional 15 trees.

The developer claims repeatedly that “the increased heights are not significant”.

While I appreciate that building regulations are entirely separate from planning approval, has the Grenfell fire, with 72 deaths already been forgotten?

Immediately following the disaster, the RIBA set up an expert advisory group.

Its conclusion regarding residential buildings reads: “In all new multiple occupancy residential buildings, a requirement for at least 2 staircases offering alternative means of escape, where the top floor is more than 11 metres above ground level”.

All of the blocks in this development have residential units above 11 metres, yet none has a secondary staircase.

Regardless of the fact that building regulations have not yet been modified, how will these architects justify their designs in a court of law, when they contravene the specific guidance of their professional institute?

Usually applications are not made unless a planning officer has given general support. I cannot believe in this case this can be true. The original scheme should never have received permission.

Objections can be made until August 23. This requires complete reappraisal.

PETER CLAPP,
NW1