A Manchester housing company has been fined more than £8000 for flouting safety rules after carrying out building works.

Mr Bashir Ahmed who represented Project 464 Ltd in court, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching building regulations on its behalf and the company was fined £2000 per charge. They were also ordered to pay court costs of £2237.92 and a £15 victims of crime surcharge.

An inspection by City Council building control officers found that Project 464's property on Moss Lane East, Moss Side, had changed use from flats to a hostel for asylum seekers.

The company did not inform Manchester City Council before, during or after the work was completed to allow council surveyors the opportunity to carry out essential safety inspections.

When inspections were carried out, it became apparent that parts of the building did not comply with minimum building standards - as laid down in the building regulations.

-- Advertisement --

Building regulations are the national standard to make sure every property complies with a basic level of health and safety - including fire safety.

Publicly used buildings, such as hostels, are often subject to more rigorous standards to ensure the safety of the building's users who are likely to be less informed about the property's layout and fire escape routes.

The company had a building regulations application to transform the premises rejected in 2007 due to worries over fire safety standards and a lack of information by the company.

Despite having their application rejected, Project 464 Ltd completed work on Moss Lane East in June 2010 and at the time of inspection, had accommodation for up to 18 asylum seekers at the property.

The company were informed of the contraventions of building regulations, and while some of the essential works were carried out, a substantial number remained incomplete.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Building regulations are essential to make sure every building in the city complies with health and safety standards, and this company has put lives at risk by failing to inform Manchester Council of work going on at their premises.

"I am pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of the offence and I am relieved that we have been able to enforce changes at the property - and hopefully send a message to companies across Manchester."

(CD/GK)