Cladding banfor high-rises

Moves to prevent another high-rise Grenfell Tower disaster have been welcomed in Renfrewshire.

It comes as new legislation to improve fire safety and boost Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions is laid before the Scottish Parliament.

Under the legislation, developers will be banned from using combustible cladding on high-rise buildings.

SNP Renfrewshire Council candidate Kenny MacLaren has backed the move, saying: “This is welcome news, after the Grenfell disaster we have to make sure that health and safety procedures are tightened up so that nothing like this could ever happen again.”

Since 2005, new cladding systems on high rise blocks have either had to use noncombustible materials or pass widespread fire test.

But the new laws will look to completely ban such materials and remove the option of a fire safety test for compliance, on domestic and other highrisk buildings such as care homes and hospitals above 11 metres.

The highest risk metal composite cladding material will be banned from use in new buildings of any height, with replacement cladding also required to meet the new standards.

Legislation also includes improvements to energy performance standards, aiming to make buildings easier to heat while ensuring they are well ventilated and comfortable to live in.

Kenny, who is running for the Paisley Northwest ward, added: “Scotland already had better guidance about cladding but this new legislation tightens them even further.

“With four high flats in our ward, we are obviously keen to see this legislation tightening the safety for all residents.”

Fellow prospective councillor Mags MacLaren, added: “Taken together with the new fire alarms regulations, covering all homes in Scotland regardless of ownership, this is yet another step on the Scottish Government’s mission to minimise the risk of deaths and injuries from fire.

“The energy improvements will deliver another important step toward improved energy and emission performance of our buildings, and the Scottish Government and councils will be going further on this in 2024 with regulations requiring new buildings to use zero-emissions heating systems.”