The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has released the Remediation Acceleration Plan, a landmark initiative aimed at expediting the resolution of unsafe cladding in residential buildings across the UK.
Key objectives
The plan sets ambitious targets:
- By 2029, all high-rise buildings (18m+) covered by government funding will be fully remediated.
- By the same year, all buildings over 11m with unsafe cladding will either be remediated or have a clear timeline for completion. Those failing to comply will face stringent penalties.
Plan highlights
The Remediation Acceleration Plan outlines several key measures:
- Enhanced Building Identification: A comprehensive review of 175,000 building records by March 2025 to identify properties requiring remediation.
- Stronger Legal Frameworks: New legal duties will compel those responsible to ensure building safety, backed by robust enforcement measures.
- Collaboration with Local Authorities: Metro mayors will lead regional efforts, working with regulators to streamline remediation plans.
- Support for Social Housing: Immediate action to accelerate remediation in the social housing sector, with a long-term strategy to follow in Spring 2025.
- Building Safety Levy: A levy on new residential developments is expected to raise £3.4 billion, set to begin in Autumn 2025.
Focus on accountability
The plan also addresses systemic accountability:
- Developers have committed to faster remediation, covering 95% of identified buildings.
- Construction product manufacturers linked to the Grenfell tragedy will face exclusion from government contracts and tougher liabilities.
- A consultation is underway to ensure leaseholders are charged fair insurance fees, closing on 24 February 2025.
Supporting residents
The initiative includes measures to protect and support residents throughout the remediation process, such as the extension of the Waking Watch Replacement Fund until March 2026.
A safer future for all
The Remediation Acceleration Plan signifies a decisive step forward in addressing building safety issues, ensuring that the industry meets its obligations to residents and the wider community.
CIBSE will continue to engage with this important process, offering expertise and guidance to achieve the plan’s goals.
For further details, visit Accelerating Remediation: a plan for increasing the pace of remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding in England - GOV.UK