Residents in sheltered housing complexes in Castle Point will not have to evacuate their homes should a fire break out if the council agrees to a proposal by Essex fire service.

Residents will be able to stay put until they are escorted out of the building by a fire service member.

Castle Point Council's housing committee have agreed to the new "stay put" plan in principle. However, councillors have been warned if the proposal goes ahead it will mean certain changes will have to be made to the buildings to ensure residents will be safe while they wait to be rescued.

Deputy director of housing Richard Chew said: "This is a new initiative which gives greater fire protection and will allow people to stay in their homes while the fire service attend.

Should the new policy go ahead it will affect residents in Westwood Court in Beresford Close, Stansfield Court in Stansfield Road, Lawns Court in Eversley Road and Gowan Court in Gowan Close, Benfleet.

Residents of Sweetbriar Lodge and Amelia Blackwell House in Link Road, Willalla House in Poplar Road and Beatrice Littlewood House in Kitkatts Road on Canvey will also be affected.

No alterations will be made to Little Gypps Court in Little Gypps Close which the council plan to demolish .

Assistant divisional officer for Essex fire service Keith Baker said: "This system is not new, it is used in hospitals, hotels and high-rise buildings. What it will mean for sheltered housing residents in Castle Point is that if they hear the fire alarm and the fire is in another flat they will not have to evacuate the building.

"There are fire doors in each flat which will stop the fire spreading and means residents in flats other than the one in which there is a fire will be able to stay put."

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