It makes no sense to delay reforms for renters and ignore the cladding crisis while embarking on a planning overhaul
The Grenfell inquiry continues, and as the contractors on the tower’s refurbishment give their evidence, a murky picture becomes clearer. Before the hearings paused in March due to Covid, emails from the cladding manufacturer, Arconic, revealed the company knew the panels were not suitable for use on building facades in Europe. Since the inquiry resumed in July, information has emerged about the close relationship between the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation and its main contractor, Rydon, and about Rydon’s dealings with architects and subcontractors. Among shocking revelations has been that Rydon promised five times to appoint fire safety advisers, but didn’t.
Last week came the turn of Harley Facades, which installed the cladding. Its owner, Ray Bailey, said his company was not “ultimately” responsible for the building’s compliance with building regulations. In what has become a familiar theme, “price and aesthetics” were shown to have been judged more important than safety.
