Overview

• On July 16 Gravesham Borough Council ordered tenants of its flats to remove combustible items including wooden fences, plastic chairs, washing lines and textile screening from balconies.
• The directive follows independent fire risk assessments during Building Safety Week and a May balcony blaze that displaced 12 families in Northfleet, Kent.
• Residents say the rules make balconies unusable and have criticised inconsistent communication and missing letters about the ban.
• The council argues the measure fulfils expanded Fire Safety Act 2021 requirements and reflects National Fire Chiefs Council advice against barbecues, heaters and clutter.
• Tenants who fail to comply face council removal of non-compliant items or charges for their disposal as part of enhanced external fire prevention efforts.