Orange Cladding Costs Comer Homes Millions

Summary

Comer Homes must rectify unauthorized deviations from planning permission at their Mast Quay Phase II development. These changes include removing orange cladding, improving accessibility, and enhancing fire safety. The developer also faces a hefty £7.8 million payment to Greenwich Council for affordable housing, community improvements, and carbon offsetting.

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** Main Story**

Comer Homes Faces Reckoning for “Mutant” Woolwich Towers

A dramatic saga involving unauthorized building modifications has reached a critical juncture. Comer Homes, the developer responsible for the Mast Quay Phase II development in Woolwich, London, has narrowly averted the demolition of two residential towers after a tense standoff with Greenwich Council. A planning inspector intervened, granting a reprieve with stringent conditions.

A String of Violations Leads to Demolition Order

The 204-flat development became a point of contention when Greenwich Council uncovered 26 significant deviations from the original planning permission, granted in 2012. These unauthorized changes, completed in 2022, prompted the council to issue a demolition order in September 2023. Comer Homes appealed the decision, leading to a public inquiry in the summer of 2024.

Reprieve Granted, But at a Steep Price

In January 2025, the planning inspector issued a ruling allowing the towers to remain, but with substantial modifications. Comer Homes has three years to comply with the inspector’s directives or face the reinstatement of the demolition order. The required changes include:

• Removal of Orange Cladding: The “visually intrusive” orange cladding must be replaced with a color approved by the council.
• Improved Accessibility: Adaptations to make certain flats wheelchair accessible are required.
• Enhanced Fire Safety: Additional fire safety measures must be implemented.
• Public Realm Improvements: Enhancements to the public areas surrounding the blocks.

In addition to the required changes, Comer Homes also faces financial penalties. The planning inspector imposed a nearly £7.8 million payment to Greenwich Council, covering:

• Affordable Housing Contribution: £4.4 million for affordable housing projects within the borough.
• Community Infrastructure Levy: £3.4 million for improvements in the local area, including carbon offsetting.

Changes to UK Building Regulations and the Comer Homes Case

The Comer Homes case underscores the growing importance of adhering to building regulations in the UK. Several recent changes have tightened standards, focusing on safety and sustainability. Key changes include:

• Building Safety Act 2022: This landmark legislation aims to overhaul building safety regulations, particularly in high-rise residential buildings. It introduces new dutyholder roles and responsibilities, emphasizing accountability throughout a project’s lifecycle.

• Revised Approved Documents: Updated Approved Documents L (Conservation of Fuel and Power), F (Ventilation), and the new Approved Document O (Overheating) reflect the focus on energy efficiency and healthy indoor environments.

• The “Golden Thread” of Information: The concept of a “golden thread” emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate, accessible information about a building’s design, construction, and maintenance throughout its lifespan. This facilitates compliance with building regulations and improves safety.

The Comer Homes situation serves as a stark warning for developers who fail to comply with planning permission. While the reprieve allows the towers to remain, the costly modifications and financial penalties demonstrate the significant consequences of unauthorized deviations. It also highlights the increasing scrutiny and enforcement of building regulations in the UK, especially given the focus on safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The need to follow regulations and maintain accurate documentation throughout a building’s lifecycle is now more critical than ever.