The ECHO revealed earlier this week that flats at two developments were found to be high risk for fire, with ‘waking watches’ in place
15:53, 19 Dec 2025Updated 15:54, 19 Dec 2025
Wolstenholme Square in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into flat blocks in Liverpool that have been found to be “high risk” for fire. Earlier this week, the ECHO revealed that apartment blocks in Wolstenholme Square in the city centre and at Parliament Place in Toxteth had been found to be high risk for fires after combustible material was located within walls of the buildings.
Both the Wolstenholme Square flats and Parliament Place were developed by Liverpool developer the Elliot Group, but the two individual companies which delivered the schemes have since gone into administration.
The ECHO has seen two reports – known as Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) – which have been carried out at Blocks C and D at Wolstenholme Square, with both blocks now being classed as “high risk” for fire.
Remedial works proposed to remove the combustible materials found within them. There were similar concerning finds at Parliament Place.
The assessments found that Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels were found in the walls of the buildings. This is a combustible material which was blamed for the spread of the fire at Grenfell Tower, where 72 people died in 2017.
So-called “waking watches” are now in place at both Wolstenholme Square blocks and also at Parliament Place in Toxteth. A waking watch is where trained staff patrol high-risk buildings to detect fires, raise alarms and manage evacuations.
As a result of these findings, the reports have proposed that the buildings’ evacuation strategy should be changed from “stay put” to allow for a full evacuation by necessity if this is deemed to be required by the fire service during a fire.
The report says residents should be made “explicitly aware of this change accordingly”.
Parliament Place in Toxteth(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The ECHO has spoken to leaseholders at Wolstenholme Square who claim the waking watch there is costing around £5,000 per month and are worried this cost will be passed on to them. They are also deeply concerned about the safety of the residents renting out their flats.
Now, leaseholders have been informed that the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), a division of the HSE, has launched an investigation.
A letter sent to a leaseholder of a flat at Wolstenholme Square, and seen by the ECHO, states: “BSR has begun an investigation into a building containing ACM cladding.
“This relates to Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool.”
The letter states that as a probe is underway, the Building Safety Regulator Charging Scheme will apply in relation to all in-scope investigation work undertaken by the body.
This scheme allows the regulator to charge for functions, including reviewing a safety case report, undertaking investigations of buildings, testing or taking samples and issuing notices for contraventions.
Liverpool City Council says it is aware of the situation at both Wolstenholme Square and Parliament Place and said it would use enforcement powers if needed to make sure safety issues are addressed.