SAFETY FEARS FOR CITY FLATS
Grenfell-style cladding found in Glasgow homes
SOME Glasgow flats have cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower, but council chiefs have not notified either the fire services or the building owners, MSPs have been told.
A search had revealed combustible cladding had been used on some private properties.
COMBUSTIBILE material has been found to have been used in private housing developments in Glasgow a council building boss has confirmed.
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy council building and planning officials were asked to check building records and confirm if there was any material similar to that used in Grenfell or that did not meet the Scottish non-combustible standards.
The council confirmed there was no combustible material used in any of the social housing supplied by housing associations in the city either at construction or in modifications like installing or replacing cladding.
However, Raymond Barlow, Assistant Head of Planning and Building Standards, Glasgow City Council confirmed the findings to MSPs today.
Mr Barlow told MSPs on the Scottish Parliament Local Government Committee that since then the council focus has shifted to look at private housing developments.
He said that combustible material has been found but refused to state on how many properties or where the properties are.
He also said the individual owners of the properties have not been made aware of the discovery.
It was found by checking building warrants and Mr Barlow said they were properties where applications were made before new regulations came into force in May 2005, though they could have been completed after that date.
Committee Convenor, Bob Doris SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, had said the information appears that no high-rise has combustible material that led to the Grenfell Tragedy.
Mr Barlow said: “We have just recently completed our submission to ministers. I’m not sure that information is up to date.
“Glasgow responded previously to ministers regarding social housing in the city.
“There were no properties reported in that tranche.
“We have been completing the research for private developments and only recently completed.”
Mr Doris asked if combustible material had been found and Mr Barlow replied: “Yes but it’s not public information yet.”
Mr Doris asked about the scale of the findings but Mr Barlow said he preferred not to say.
He did confirm that owners or occupiers have not been notified and the Fire Service have not been told yet either.
The Evening Times has asked Glasgow City Council to comment on the findings.