Government launches first legal action to tackle cladding scandal

Grey GR Limited Partnership will have 21 days to agree to fix fire safety issues in its Vista Tower or face court.

The government has announced its first legal action since the reforms to building safety in a bid to tackle the ongoing cladding scandal.

Towards the end of July, former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Greg Clark, announced the formation of the Recovery Strategy Unit to pursue individuals and companies refusing to fund repairs.

Now the unit is dealing with its first case concerning Grey GR Limited Partnership, the owner of a fifteen-storey tower block in Stevenage, Vista Tower.

The company will be given 21 days to agree to fixing building safety issues or it could face court action, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has warned.

New Levelling Up Secretary of State, Simon Clarke said: ‘The lives of over 100 people living in Vista Tower have been put on hold for over two years whilst they wait for Grey GR to remediate unsafe cladding.  Enough is enough.

‘This legal action should act as a warning to the rest of industry’s outliers – big and small. Step up, follow your peers and make safe the buildings you own or legal action will be taken against you.’

Grey GR has delayed repairs, despite unsafe cladding being identified two years ago, handing bills to leaseholders and leaving them unable to sell.

The building was registered with the Building Safety Fund back in 2020, but the funding agreement has not been signed so the government is unable to release any money to help the company cover remediation costs.

Sophie Bichener, leaseholder in Vista Tower said: ‘We thank the Government for helping us, and leaseholders across the country – Vista Tower residents simply want to live in safe and secure homes.

‘This action is a step in the right direction for the innocent leaseholders still desperately pleading with their building owners to take responsibility.

‘Now the leaseholder protections are in force – it should serve as a warning to those entities still playing games and doing all they can to dodge their legal obligations.’

Mr Clarke has said he would consider applying for a Remediation Contribution Order against other entities associated with Grey GR, such as the Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited (RailPen) and Railtrust Holdings Limited to force them to contribute to costs.

At least 23 other buildings registered with the Building Safety Fund are yet to progress with funding remediation due to unnecessary delays which the government is investigating closely.

Photo by Jimmy Chang