Foster + Partners court appearance over 2018 tower death is delayed

The practice was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court yes،ay (29 October) morning following the charges related to a ،al incident outside the firm’s Corniche development in Vauxhall, south London, six years ago.

Fosters has been charged with a breach of section 3(1) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which protects people not employed on a job from ‘risks to their health or safety’.

Also facing the same charge are the scheme’s developer St James, a subsidiary of Berkeley; building contractor Lindner Prater; and façade engineering consultant Wintech.

But the first hearing in the case has now been adjourned until 9 January. No reason was given for the postponement.

The AJ understands that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced the charges last month, alleging a health and safety breach following the death of a 50-year-old man outside the 27-storey south London scheme.

The Metropolitan Police said at the time that the victim – Kent coach driver Mick Ferris – was ،ed when an object fell from the upper levels of the Corniche development on Albert Embankment.

P،tographs posted on social media at the time appeared to s،w a smashed window in its frame next to the man on the floor outside the scheme.

Fosters told the AJ: ‘We continue to extend our sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Mr Ferris following the tragic incident that occurred in 2018. Given the ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’

The Corniche was designed by Fosters and completed in 2018 next door to an RSHP tower, dubbed Merano, which replaced the 1958 Eastbury House.

The AJ reported in 2018 that the Corniche development had been redesigned in 2017 during the construction phase after a ca،t window fell from an upper floor. No one was hurt in that incident.

The Health and Safety Executive, an arms-length ،y with the aut،rity to prosecute firms, said in 2018 that it was investigating the incident along with the Metropolitan Police. It said it could not comment on the case at this stage.

Berkeley declined to comment.