Dragon Wood Homes Ltd director Paul Whyman sentenced for fire safety failings at Cliff House, Felixstowe

A property developer has been sentenced after serious fire failures at a Felixstowe flat complex.

Paul Whyman and his company Dragon Wood Homes Ltd repeatedly failed to fix fire safety issues at Cliff House, Chevalier Road

Located on the site of a former hotel, an enforcement notice was placed at the site in 2017 and the following year, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service highlighted multiple serious breaches in safety standards, including inadequate compartmentalisation.

At Ipswich Crown Court today, Judge David Pugh handed Whyman a 12 month community order, forcing him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, Dragon Wood Homes was fined £40,000 and both Whyman and the company were ordered to pay £15,000 each in legal costs over the next year.

Despite repeated opportunities to fix the issues, Whyman failed to complete the necessary work, the court heard.

The enforcement notice remains in force eight years later and fire safety deficiencies continue to affect the premises.

Whyman pleaded guilty to all charges on February 5 at the same court.

Councillor Steve Wiles from Suffolk County Council said: “This outcome sends a clear message, we will not tolerate developers or property owners who ignore their legal responsibilities and put people’s lives at risk.

“Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has acted with patience and professionalism throughout this lengthy process, always with the safety of residents at the heart of their actions.

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe home. While we are pleased that justice has been served, it is deeply regrettable that it took this level of enforcement to reach a resolution.”