Large panel system high-rise building safety

Find out what we're doing to improve the safety of our large panel system blocks in Brighton & Hove.

Building safety updates

We've been contacting residents living in the 8 council-owned large panel system (LPS) high-rise blocks in the city. There are important building safety updates following a series of recent structural surveys.

The 8 council blocks in Brighton & Hove are:

  • Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Court in Hollingdean
  • Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court, Kingfisher Court and Swallow Court in north Whitehawk
  • St James's House in Kemptown

Structural survey findings

As part of our responsibilities under the Building Safety Act 2022 and Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, we recently commissioned detailed structural surveys on the buildings.

Download the structural survey reports for large panel system blocks.

Independent consultants carried out observational and intrusive surveying. They found that the buildings do not meet the current safety standards, in relation to their ability to resist a disproportionate collapse in the case of an explosion or large fire.

We're working with our consultants on the final versions of the reports and will publish those as soon as possible.

There is no immediate danger to the buildings. Measures such as bans on gas canisters and barbecues are in place.

We've acted on the advice of our independent consultants and taken additional safety measures.

The previous structural surveys of our LPS buildings took place in June 2019. They found that the buildings then had no issues, and were in good structural condition.

Your home contents insurance should not be affected by the findings of the structural surveys.

Risks to the buildings

While it remains low, the risk would come from an explosion associated with pressurised gas - such as that found in gas bottles or cylinders. There are no mains gas supplies in the buildings for heating or cooking. This significantly reduces the risk of an explosion.

Residents are not allowed to store portable oil or bottled gas appliances, or any other dangerous or flammable items, in their homes or communal areas. This is set out in the tenancy agreement.

There isn’t a ban on oxygen cylinders where required for medical reasons. Residents must contact us to let us know if they have these.

View East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service's advice on the safe storage of oxygen cylinders.

Resident safety

Resident safety is our priority. We want to reassure you that we've acted on the advice of our independent consultants to secure the safety of the buildings for all residents.

We're not evacuating the buildings as there is no immediate danger. The structure is designed so that the flats are in separate compartments. The purpose of this is to contain fires or other hazards.

Our structural surveys show us that there is no danger from normal day-to-day living in the blocks.