Potential new cladding crisis looms after fire rips through London low-rise timber frame homes

Fears have been raised of a new cladding crisis after a fire gutted four low-rise timber frame homes in Barnet- and 580 more properties were found to have the same unsafe plastic cladding

Barnet Council has alerted the DLUHC after a potential fire risk was identified in 580 low-rise timber frame homes fitted with plastic cladding.

A fire broke out in Moss Hall Grove in Finchley in June 2023 in a row of four terraced houses, completely destroying one home and gutting the adjoining properties.

No lives were lost or injured in the incident, but the following investigation by Barnet Council yielded evidence of a potential new cladding crisis.

Fire-stopping issues were identified on the properties

Conducted by building consultants Capital, the UPVC cladding panels on the properties constitute a “category 1 hazard”- the highest level of risk- placing a legal duty on the council to take action.

Works to the council homes cannot be completed without works to other properties in the terrace being completed in tandem, affecting almost 600 homes across the borough.

The one and two-storey homes were built from the 1930s to 1960s, with retrofitting works adding the UPVC cladding panels in the 1980s.

The council will help cover the costs on social housing, but homeowners will have to fun their own remediation

Repair works have been valued at over £16m, with £3.6m of the cost to council properties met by the Housing Revenue Account capital programme and a loan and repayment plan put in place for freehold owners.

Deputy Council leader and cabinet member for homes and regeneration, Councillor Ross Houston, said “The council will cover the cost for replacing cladding on its social housing stock but homeowners will unfortunately need to fund remediation for their own properties. The cost of replacing the cladding on each property could be up to £23,000 so to help we are organising* a loan and a repayment plan for those who need it, but we’re really limited on what we can do.

“We believe the 580 affected homes in Barnet are just the tip of the iceberg across the country. We’re sharing details with other local authorities and DLUHC as clearly there is need for a national plan to raise awareness and work out how best to support homeowners.”

*Subject to agreement by Cabinet at its meeting on 12 March.