New building safety plans for Wales
Reforms set out in the new Building Safety White Paper, announced by Wales’ Housing Minister Julie James, could impact how properties are designed, built, managed and lived in.
The proposals allocate accountability for building owners and managers as well as aim to create a stronger regulatory system.
They cover all multi-occupied residential buildings, from a house converted into two flats to a high-rise apartment block.
This White Paper follows measures taken by The Welsh Government in the wake of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in London, England. Last January, following a change to regulations, the use of combustible materials in cladding systems was banned in Wales. This applied to all new residential buildings (flats, student accommodation and care homes) and hospitals over 18m in height.
The consultation on the White Paper closes on 12 April 2021.
