LONDON, UK: Barratt Developments plc, one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom, has announced that it has signed the Scottish Safer Buildings Accord, an industry commitment supporting the remediation and / or mitigation of external wall cladding systems on buildings of 11 metres and above, in Scotland.
The Accord is a voluntary agreement between the Scottish Government and housebuilders to address the fire safety issues related to external wall cladding systems, which have been highlighted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. The Accord aims to ensure that leaseholders do not have to pay for remediation costs and that buildings are made safe as soon as possible.
By signing the Accord, Barratt has committed to resolving life critical fire safety defects in a property which meets the following criteria:
- It is a multi-occupancy residential domestic building (whether such building includes separate commercial or non-domestic use) in Scotland; and
- It has a storey at a height of 11 metres or more above the ground; and
- It has been built by Barratt as a developer, (but not solely as contractor) in the period of 30 years, ending 1 June 2022.
Barratt will work in good faith with the Scottish Government to support the remediation and / or mitigation of external wall cladding systems, where identified through a fire risk assessment, as required for in-scope buildings.
These commitments remain subject to Barratt agreeing with the Scottish Government, the necessary legal documentation in respect of the principles set out above. Barratt will therefore work constructively with Homes for Scotland and the Scottish Government to address outstanding issues and agree, as quickly as possible, a legally binding, long-form contract, in order to give effect to the above principles of both self-remediation and mitigation.
David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments plc, said: “We are pleased to sign the Scottish Safer Buildings Accord, which reflects our belief that leaseholders should not have to pay for remediation. We have always taken our fire safety responsibilities seriously and we are committed to working with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to make buildings safer and restore confidence in the housing market.”