New Grenfell Tower cladding which 'may have helped fire spread' was added to improve view from nearby luxury houses
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Cladding added to Grenfell Tower in a recent refurbishment - which experts believe may have contributed to the rapid spread of a deadly fire - was added to improve the building's appearance for neighbouring communities, it has emerged.
The external appearance of the building from nearby 'conservation areas' is cited in an official report among the reasons for adding the cladding to the 24-storey high-rise block.
Twelve people have been confirmed dead in the blaze which rapidly ripped through the building in the early hours of this morning and a further 78 have been treated for injuries, with 18 in a critical condition.
Some experts, including Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud, have speculated the new cladding was 'dangerous' and could be the reason the fire spread so quickly up the building.
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The director of the company who refurbished the tower insisting it complied with health and safety guidelines, but admits he doesn't know what the cladding is made from.
A report published on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website in 2014 by the executive director of planning and borough development explains that the cladding was added to improve the tower's appearance from nearby neighbourhoods.
(Photo: Rex Features)
It reads: "The changes to the external appearance of the building will also provide positive enhancements to the appearance of the area, and the removal of the walkway and the canopy are welcome improvement."
Most notably, it references two 'conservation areas' from which Grenfell Tower is visible - Ladbroke Conservation Area and Avondale Conservation Area - which are made up of Victorian terraced houses.
Average property prices in these areas are in excess of £2million, according to Rightmove.
In one street, Kensington Park Gardens, picked at random from the Ladbroke Conservation Area map, the average price paid for a property is £2.4million.
A statement in the document said: "Due to its height the tower is visible from the adjacent Avondale Conservation Area to the south and the Ladbroke Conservation Area to the east.
"The changes to the existing tower will improve its appearance especially when viewed from the surrounding area.
(Photo: Rydon)
"Therefore views into and out of the conservation areas will be improved by the proposals in accordance with 'saved' policy CD63 of the UDP."
The document also listed other reasons for re-cladding the building - namely for the use of a new window and heating system.
A report explained: "The scheme proposes the re-clad of the building with zinc over-cladding with a new window system. For the new window system and heating to work efficiently the whole building is required to be over clad.
"With the installation of the new cladding and windows,the existing residents would have improved sound insulation and ventilation."
Investigations into the fire are ongoing and Met Police expect the death toll to rise.