TOWER blocks in Poole will be fitted with sprinklers after councillors unanimously approved a £630,000 project.

Sterte Court will be the first two blocks to have sprinklers installed with the equipment put in at the four Old Town towers during refurbishment work which is due to take place over the next five years.

The issue was first considered in 2014 during refurbishment work at Sterte Court but it was felt that other fire safety measures were sufficient.

However, in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, a review of fire safety measures at high-rise flat blocks was carried out by Poole Housing Partnership (PHP), which manages six towers across the borough on behalf of the council.

Discussions were held with Dorset and Wiltshire fire service representatives who suggested that the decision should be revisited.

Under the plan backed by Poole council at its meeting on Tuesday, sprinklers would be installed inside individual flats and in communal areas.

Cllr Karen Rampton, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The management of fire risk across the council-owned high-rise buildings is complex and takes on many forms.

“They include regular fire risk assessments, the use of fire doors, ensuring only non-flammable materials are used where appropriate, regular discussions with the fire service and ensuring that fire escape routes are not blocked.

“Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 all landlords have been reviewing fire safety measures necessary for high rise blocks and whether more should or can be done.

“The safety of all residents living in high rise blocks in the town is our main priority and following advice from the fire service, cabinet have approved the retro-fitting of sprinkler systems to all council owned tower blocks, covering flats and communal areas as part of ongoing fire prevention and fire management works.

“This will enhance the current measures in place and more closely reflect the current recommendations from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service around best practice.”

It is estimated that retro-fitting equipment at Sterte Court will cost £300,000 per block while funding for planned renovation at the Rodney, Grenville, Nelson and Drake towers will be determined when design briefs are drawn-up.

Earlier this year, Poole council set aside £1m to cover the cost of installing sprinklers and any remaining funds will be added to its reserves.

PHP chief executive, Su Spence, said: “We are really pleased to take forward the enhanced fire safety measures, which form a package of works across the tower blocks and we will be working closely with residents to manage the installation process.”