Housing association flats in Bath are set to be stripped of flammable cladding like that used on Grenfell Tower.
Burnthouse Court in Bath | Image © Google 2020
The materials are now banned in buildings over 18 metres, and while Burnthouse Court falls short of that limit, LiveWest said the safety of its residents was paramount.
It is seeking planning permission to replace the timber cladding on the 18 flats in Old Fosse Road with a similar-looking non-combustible alternative to eliminate the risk of fire spreading from unsafe external wall systems.
LiveWest said in its application: “In order to ensure the buildings are fit for residential purposes, the proposals seek to remove all combustible products from the external facades of the building, retaining original features where feasible.
“The proposals are essential to guarantee building safety, and that residents are safe, and feel safe, in their own homes.”
The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 claimed the lives of 72 residents. The fire spread rapidly because of the cladding on the 24-storey building.
Bath and North East Somerset Council will decide the fate of LiveWest’s application.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
