Procurement arrangements to deliver major fire safety and energy efficiency improvement works at two more of the council’s high rise blocks of flats will be considered this week.
Beech House and Sycamore House, on the Hollybush Estate in Whitchurch, are the next buildings in the council’s programme of recladding and improvement works, which aims to improve fire safety and bring homes up to current Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) requirements.
Cladding was removed from five council high rise blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. While the retro fitted external cladding on the council’s buildings was not the same highly flammable ACM type used at Grenfell, it did not meet current fire safety standards and could pose an additional risk during a fire.
These proposals, which will be considered by Cabinet at its next meeting on Thursday, March 19, form part of the council’s ongoing programme to replace cladding on its tower blocks following comprehensive safety reviews carried out after the tragedy.
If approved, the scheme will see a contractor appointed to carry out recladding works at both Beech House and Sycamore House, alongside wider improvements to enhance fire safety, thermal efficiency and the overall quality of residents’ homes, bringing both buildings up to WHQS standards.
The works will follow a similar approach to previous high rise schemes delivered by the council, including Lydstep Flats in Llandaff North completed in 2024, and at Nelson House and Loudoun House in Butetown. The council is proposing a two stage open procurement process to appoint a single contractor for both buildings.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The safety of our residents is always our top priority, and this report marks another important step in our programme to address fire safety and improve living conditions in our high rise homes.
“Progressing these works at Beech House and Sycamore House will improve the energy efficiency of the blocks and enhance comfort for residents living there.
“We are committed to keeping residents informed as the project moves forward and ensuring the works are managed carefully, safely and with as little disruption as possible.”
Welsh Government funding has already been approved towards the scheme, with further funding discussions ongoing. Cabinet approval at this stage would allow the procurement process to begin, with the final contract award subject to confirmation of funding.
