Local Gov reported on the announcement on the ban, with housing minister Julie James stating that the ban would take force from 13 January, and the news source added that the plan to ban such cladding was influenced by Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building regulations and fire safety. That report had made recommendations for ‘significant changes’ in high risk residential buildings of 10 or more storeys from construction to occupation.
In response to the report, the Welsh government had said it would look to ban the use of combustible cladding, and now Ms James has approved regulations that will put the ban in place, with it applying to all new residential buildings and hospitals of 18m or higher. However, it will also apply to existing buildings ‘where relevant building work is being carried out which falls within the scope of the building regulations’.
She stated: ‘Our homes should be the safest of places. The action I have taken today will help ensure we make people safer in their homes, and leaves no room for doubt as to what is suitable for use on external walls of relevant buildings 18m or more in height. In Wales, we have a proud track record of achieving high standards of fire safety.
‘We have a record low number of dwelling fires, and in 2016, we became the first country in the world to make it compulsory for all new and converted homes to have sprinklers installed. But we know there is still much more we need to do to ensure that there is greater clarity across the life cycle of a building as to the roles and responsibilities of those designing, constructing and managing buildings. I intend to publish a White Paper in 2020 setting out the detail of my plans.’