DEVELOPING giants Crest Nicholson have been fined £58,000 after breaching health and safety rules at its Ingress Park site in Greenhithe.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out various inspections of the company's award-winning housing development between November 2002 and August 2003.

During these inspections it became clear that the company was failing to implement safe systems of work to protect people not in their employment and to prevent unauthorised access to construction areas.

The company also failed to comply with Improvement Notices, and Regulations that required safe movement of traffic and segregation of pedestrian and vehicle routes at the site.

Crest Nicholson pleaded guilty to the four charges of health and safety breaches at Dartford Magistrates Court.

Chair of magistrates Doug Dawson said: "The health and safety standards were seriously inadequate and the fine must be large enough to reflect the seriousness of the failings."

Peter Collingwood, HM Inspector of safety and health, said: "It is vitally important for companies to ensure that the management of health and safety is given an equal importance to that of other business objectives, it is not an add on or an extra.

"Many of the problems identified on this construction site are illustrative of a common failure of companies to plan for health and safety and to then set clear standards and targets for managers to work to.

"Another problem area related to a failure to secure the construction site - construction sites can be attractive to children who may view them as an adventure playground and yet they can be dangerous places.”

Steve Jones, managing director for Crest Nicholson South East said: "Crest Nicholson South East prides itself on its excellent health and safety record.

"Crest deeply regrets the breaches that have occurred and steps have been taken to ensure the high standards set by the company are met in future.

"I would like to stress that none of the breaches in the health and safety code have led to any accidents or injuries."

The company was fined a total of £58,132.18, including £9,132 in costs.