Exclusive: Telford Homes to sign Gove’s cladding pledge after threat of ban
Property developer Telford Homes has capitulated to threats from Michael Gove and signed a pledge to fix faulty cladding similar to that which led to the fire at Grenfell Tower.
One of London’s largest residential developers was one of 11 firms told they would be prevented from building new properties unless they signed the pledge, announced by the Housing Secretary earlier this year.
“Telford Homes can confirm we have signed the government’s binding pledge contract”, a spokesperson told Morning Wire today.
By signing the contract, the developers accept responsibility to fix fire-safety defects in buildings more than 11m high that they built or refurbished.
Gove has said those who refuse to sign will not be allowed to “operate freely in the market”, meaning they’ll be banned from new projects.
Thirty-nine developers have so far signed the pledge, including the ten biggest housebuilders in the country.
Gove has said he will now focus on a “responsible actor scheme” to provide guidelines for the developers who have signed – likely hoping to give a little bit more time for those who haven’t signed yet to u-turn.
The Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities pointed Morning Wire to Michael Gove’s comments on his intention to “come after” the developers that have failed to sign the contract.