Developer Galliard Homes commits to remediating its own tower blocks between 11m and 18m
London-focused developer Galliard Homes has finally signed the Government’s cladding pledge, after not being in the original list published on 13 April.
Stephen Conway, chair and chief executive of the £294m turnover firm, confirmed its commitment to remediating its own blocks between 11m and 18m, adding that the housebuilder had “always been fully committed to rectifying any defects to our buildings”.
He said in a statement that: “Galliard places the utmost importance on its corporate responsibilities to owners and occupiers of apartment blocks we have constructed.
“We have been clear with the Government, from the outset, that the cost of remediation should be borne fairly between all participants, including Galliard Homes.”
“Following the recent progress of the Government in its endeavours to deliver a voluntary and joined-up industry-wide response to rectifying historic building defects, I am pleased to announce that in accordance with our principles of business we are now signatories of the Building Safety Repairs Pledge.”
The statement follows speculation the house builder was intending not to sign the Government’s pledge. A spokesperson last week told the Guardian newspaper that it required “certainty” and “a clear and succinct plan for developers, the government, the supply chain and insurers to all work together to find an equitable solution” before signing. Not signing would have left it exposed to consequences threatened by secretary of state Michael Gove, including preventing the developer from getting planning or building regs approvals.
>> Read the full list of firms to sign up to the government’s cladding pledge
When releasing the list on the 13 April Gove had warned: “For the companies yet to make the pledge, the Secretary of State has also confirmed there is little time left for them to sign up, and that those who continue to refuse will face consequences if they fail to do so.”
Conway also pointed out that it had, with the NHBC, re-clad more than 1,000 homes across 11 separate buildings at its development in New Capital Quay; work which it paused in the spring of 2020 for various Covid-related reasons.
A spokesperson for Galliard told Housing Today that the extra cost incurred by signing the cladding commitment was “currently under review”. But, of the work at New Capital Quay, it said Galliard paid for “all associated costs including the 24-hour waking watch and installation and subsequently the removal of interim fire safety measures.”
The statement comes after £678m-turnover Crest Nicholson confirmed it had signed the pledge last week. It was in the list published on 13 April but as a company intending to sign.
It estimated the further liability that would arise for the company by signing the commitment was between £80m and £120m.
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