Persimmon host ministerial visit to see building safety works taking place in Wales

Welsh Government Minister, Julie James, was yesterday invited by Persimmon to see building safety remediation works taking place in Cardiff.

Two years ago, we made an industry-leading commitment to pay for any necessary cladding and safety-related remediation work on multi-storey buildings Persimmon had constructed.

Last November, the Welsh Government announced details of a ‘developer pact’ which represents a public commitment that developers will address ‘fire safety issues in buildings of 11 metres and over that have been developed over the last 30 years’.

The Welsh Government Developers Pact, underpinned by formal legal documentation, has been shared with the Home Builders Federation and developers are expected to accept the terms shortly.

Persimmon has already started funding work ahead of signing the terms, and the Minister was invited to see vital fire safety works carried out at the Century Wharf development.

The Welsh Government’s Climate Change Minister, Julie James, said:

“It was great to visit Century Wharf today to see first-hand the work that is already being carried out in Wales.

“I have always made it clear that I do not expect leaseholders to bear the cost of repairing fire safety issues that are not of their making and that I expect developers to step up to their responsibilities.

“I am very grateful to Persimmon for the invitation today, I am very pleased they have worked closely with the management company to carry out this work ahead of formally accepting the terms of the Pact and look forward to continuing this productive relationship.”

Persimmon’s Regional Chairman for Wales and the South West, Liam Scott, said:

“We were very pleased to welcome the Minister for Climate Change to see the action being undertaken at Century Wharf.

“We made a commitment two years ago to pay for any necessary cladding and safety-related remediation work on multi-storey buildings Persimmon constructed. We took this leadership position as we wanted to protect our customers and remove uncertainty for them.

“We have worked closely with the management company overseeing the works, and will continue to do so as we fund the remediation programmes on such buildings in Wales.

"Persimmon strongly supports the Welsh Government’s efforts to resolve the cladding and fire safety challenge as we believe it is not only fair for leaseholders in Wales, but also the right thing to do as one of the nation’s leading housebuilders.

“We’ll continue to work constructively with the Minister for Climate Change and the Welsh Government as we support the completion of works as quickly as possible for leaseholders.”