Ballymore has asked for the planning application for its Cuba Street tower, E14, to be put on hold, following fire safety concerns.
The developer had planned to seek approval for the 51-storey residential building near Canary Wharf, but instead withdrew its application at the last minute.
Tower Hamlets planning officers had recommended the tower for approval the planning committee on 13 January. However, the London Fire Brigade later raised formal concerns over the plans, which would serve 421 flats with just one staircase.
A spokesman from London Fire Brigade said: “We do have concerns that the design submitted does not provide suitable and convenient means of escape and associated evacuation strategy for all building users.
“In buildings with a single escape route, we would expect the developer to have their own fire engineers provide a full review to show the resilience in the event of a fire and this does not appear to have been carried out.
“While we are not a statutory consultee on such planning applications, we would always look to provide a response around the fire strategy in high-rise buildings, as we have in this case.”
Minister for building safety Stephen Greenhalgh said he was “relieved to hear that the application for the humongous 51-storey, single-stair Cuba Street tower has now been pulled”.
A spokesman for Ballymore said: “As part of the planning application for our Cuba Street development, Ballymore received comments from the London Fire Brigade on the day it was going to committee, requesting clarification around aspects of the application. We are more than happy to provide that clarification and will continue to work closely with the LFB and local authority towards presenting the scheme for planning approval in due course.
“Like all Ballymore developments, the Cuba Street scheme will be built in full accordance with approved and emerging guidance and British Standards.”
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