Families facing challenges in high-rise buildings in Cardiff reported feeling “trapped” in cramped living spaces waiting for their homes to be made safe. Despite a Welsh Government building safety pact requiring developers to ensure all buildings over 11 meters in height are fire-safe, many residents are still waiting for essential work to be completed. A motion passed by Cardiff Council called for quicker progress in rectifying issues in high-rise buildings to prevent incidents like the Grenfell fire in 2017. The motion highlighted concerns about delays, lack of communication, and financial strains on residents due to increased costs. Labour councillor Helen Gunter presented the motion, sharing stories of residents feeling trapped in inadequate living spaces and elderly individuals experiencing anxiety over safety concerns.
Residents at the Celestia apartments complex in Cardiff have been waiting for remediation work to commence since Redrow’s offer in April 2024. However, negotiations between Celestia Management Company Limited (CMCL) and Redrow have stalled progress. Issues at the site include render falling off buildings, algae formation, and safety hazards such as windows falling onto the car park. CMCL emphasized the urgency of addressing non-fire-related defects and criticised Redrow for its inaction despite signing a contract with the Welsh Government. Redrow, on the other hand, cited delays in obtaining necessary permissions and approvals for the slow progress.
Another high-rise complex, Prospect Place in Grangetown, saw residents evacuated from one block, Lady Isle House, in October 2024 due to fire safety concerns. Bellway, the developers, assured measures were put in place, and residents were allowed to return before Christmas. Bellway acknowledged the complexities and challenges in delivering remediation works swiftly but committed to ensuring residents’ safety. The slow pace of remediation work and safety hazards were echoed by Conservative councillor Adrian Robson, reflecting the widespread concerns among residents living in fear and under psychological stress due to ongoing safety issues.
The proposed Building Safety (Wales) Bill, set to be introduced in summer 2025, was welcomed by Cardiff councillors. They urged the Welsh Government to consider sanctions against developers causing delays. The Liberal Democrats proposed amendments to the motion to provide further protection to leaseholders and empower residents in building safety matters. Concerns were raised about the slow progress and the need for stronger legislation to address remediation issues effectively. The Welsh Government’s commitment to not burdening residents with the costs of building works and establishing a new building safety regime was highlighted as a step towards ensuring residents’ safety and well-being.
Leaseholders’ worries were evident in a study by SFG20, revealing that a quarter of residents surveyed in Cardiff were concerned about building safety standards. With financial strains, delays, and ongoing safety hazards impacting residents, there is a pressing need for swift action and effective legislation to address these issues. The Local Democracy Reporting Service shed light on residents’ experiences, highlighting the urgency of remediation works and developers’ accountability in ensuring residents’ safety and well-being. The complexities and challenges faced in high-rise building remediation underscore the importance of collaborative efforts between developers, authorities, and residents to address safety concerns and provide residents with the peace of mind they deserve.