Grenfell-type cladding used at Cardiff Bay apartments

CLADDING similar to the material used at Grenfell Tower which has failed fire safety tests is still in place at two Cardiff Bay residential developments, it has been revealed.

Developer Bellway Homes has confirmed that aluminium composite material (ACM) has been used at some apartment blocks in Prospect Place – one of the Bay’s biggest residential developments – and Quayside.

ACM is similar to the material used for the cladding at Grenfell Tower, which has been blamed for helping the fire to spread in the disaster which claimed 72 lives in June last year.

Bellway has said it has paid for additional safety measures to be put in place at Prospect Place, while Warwick Estates, which manages the two sites, said resolving the cladding issues is its “highest priority”.

Tenants at Prospect Place are said to be struggling to sell their properties due to the time it has taken for the cladding to be removed.

Letting and estate agent CPS Homes said it had found a potential buyer for a flat at Prospect Place, but was unable to secure a mortgage because neither Bellway nor Warwick Estates could agree in writing to remove the cladding.

A CPS Homes spokesman said: “Our advice to property-owners is to hold on to the properties and sit tight until such a time as these issues are sorted, and also to press the management company and developers for a resolution to the situation swiftly so it doesn’t affect the prices of the properties.

“Prospect Place is one of our most popular bay developments. It’s such a shame that this is happening. Buyers are missing out on a place to live, while sellers are being halted from moving on.”

Warwick Estates said hundreds of leaseholders across England and Wales are experiencing the same problem following the identification of cladding issues and is working as quickly as possible to resolve the issues at Prospect Place and Quayside.

The company is pursuing a claim on behalf of the residents through the National House Building Council for the work.

Both Bellway and Warwick Estates have said they will work to find a solution to the cladding issues once the NHBC report is complete.

A Bellway spokeswoman said: “While we believe that we complied with the building regulations in place at the time Prospect Place and Quayside were constructed, we have made it clear that we will replace the cladding if errors were made.

“We have paid for additional safety measures and advice at Prospect Place in order that these costs are not passed to residents whilst the managing agent, Warwick Estates, pursue a claim on the NHBC warranty on behalf of residents.

“The warranty provides cover for non-compliance with the building regulations. As soon as the NHBC investigation is complete, we will act promptly to clarify our position.”

Emma Blaney, associate director of Warwick Estates, said: “An NHBC claim has been made and we are awaiting the findings following their investigations.

“Following the identification of the cladding issues, Bellway, the developer, have been actively involved to ensure that these are resolved.

“Once we are in receipt of the NHBC report we will be able to work with Bellway further to find an appropriate resolution to the cladding problems.”

She also said issues with residents mortgaging or selling their properties are not bespoke to Prospect Place or Quayside, adding: “Hundreds of leaseholder across England and Wales are experiencing the same problem following the identification of cladding issues and all we can do is work as quickly as possible with the developer and the NHBC to resolve this.

“I can confirm that this has been treated as our highest priority and will continue to be so until its resolution.

“It is also important to note that Warwick Estates are the third-party managing agent and therefore would not be responsible for the repairs/works directly.

“We are, however, working with all parties to find the swiftest and most appropriate solutions to the issues.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says it has given safety advice to property owners and management teams at both Quayside Apartments and Prospect Place.