Seven years after the Grenfell Tower inferno claimed 72 lives ministers have unveiled a new ‘Remediation Acceleration Plan’ to fix unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings.
Under the plan, every high-rise building over 18 metres tall in government-funded schemes will have dodgy cladding sorted by the end of 2029. And landlords dragging their feet on mid-rise blocks (11m+) face stiff penalties if they fail to act or set completion dates.
The government says it’s ramping up efforts to hold rogue freeholders accountable, fast-track fixes, and finally give long-suffering residents some peace of mind.
Developers, too, are under the spotlight, with 29 big firms pledging to double the pace of repairs.
THOUSANDS YET TO BE ASSESSED
Work on all their cladding-hit blocks is now set to start by summer 2027 – but critics point out only 30% of identified buildings in England have been fixed so far, with thousands more yet to be assessed.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner admitted the delays have been ‘far too slow for far too long.’ She says: ““More than seven years on from the Grenfell tragedy, thousands of people have been left living in homes across this country with dangerous cladding.
“The pace of remediation has been far too slow for far too long. We are taking decisive action to right this wrong and make homes safe.
And Building Safety Minister Alex Norris adds: “Every resident deserves to feel safe in their home.
“This underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding residents and holding those responsible to account. We will not hesitate to actively pursue the owners of buildings who refuse to act.”
The announcement follows a scathing Grenfell Inquiry report, which exposed shocking failures in fire safety across the board.
DANGEROUS HOMES
While 95% of Grenfell-style blocks have been fixed, campaigners say too many residents remain trapped in dangerous homes.
With thousands still living in fear, the big question remains: is 2029 too little, too late?
Sarah Taylor, property dispute resolution partner, Excello Law, says: “Whilst the intention behind the Remediation Acceleration Plan is commendable, it raises many questions.
“The Building Safety Act details a complicated and bureaucratic process for remediation but places duties on those who own higher-risk buildings (i.e. those at least 18 metres or 7 storeys high).
“The Remediation Acceleration Plan sets a 2029 deadline for the remediation of all higher-risk buildings with unsafe cladding.
“However, it is unclear how this deadline will be enforced, and whether it will give leaseholders certainty that their buildings will be made safe. Some leaseholders do not yet know that they are living in a building with unsafe cladding as not all buildings have been identified.”
“For leaseholders a five-year Remediation Acceleration Plan deadline may feel like a lifetime.”
She adds: “We understand that proposals have been drawn up with housing developers as to how work can be accelerated to fix buildings for which they are responsible.
“We shall wait with interest to see if this is sufficiently comprehensive to ensure that the Remediation Acceleration Plan is carried out effectively and by the proposed deadline.
“More applications for Remediation Orders may be needed to push developers to remediate their buildings. Regulators, who are to be given robust new powers to enforce remediation, must use these powers to prevent another cladding disaster.
“For leaseholders who have already been waiting a long time for their buildings to be made safe, a five-year Remediation Acceleration Plan deadline may feel like a lifetime.”
