Simon Clarke at DLUHC has taken the first step in legal action against Grey GR, as the cladding scandal continues.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has taken the first step in legal action against Grey GR, an organisation ultimately owned by RailPen, as the cladding scandal continues.

Grey GR Limited Partnership, the freeholder of Vista Tower, a 15-storey tower block in Stevenage, has been given 21 days to commit to remediating the tower’s fire safety defects or an application will be made to the courts.

ACTION

This action follows two years of delays for more than 100 residents living in the tower.

The freeholder is one of the first to face action by the newly created Recovery Strategy Unit, set up to identify and pursue firms who repeatedly refuse to fix buildings, working closely with other enforcement authorities.

The lives of over 100 people living in Vista Tower have been put on hold for over two years.”
Simon Clarke (main picture), Levelling Up Secretary of State, says: “The lives of over 100 people living in Vista Tower have been put on hold for over two years whilst they wait for Grey GR to remediate unsafe cladding. Enough is enough.

“This legal action should act as a warning to the rest of industry’s outliers – big and small. Step up, follow your peers and make safe the buildings you own or legal action will be taken against you.”

This action is a step in the right direction.”
Sophie Bichener, a leaseholder in Vista Towers, adds: “This action is a step in the right direction for the innocent leaseholders still desperately pleading with their building owners to take responsibility.”

Leaseholders of Vista Tower have been handed bills and been unable to sell.

Whilst the building registered with the Building Safety Fund in 2020, the funding agreement is yet to be signed, meaning the government cannot release any money.

UNNECESSARY

There are at least 23 other buildings registered with the Building Safety Fund that have been unable to progress due to unnecessary delays.

Leaseholders are now able to apply for a remedial order and are encouraged to do so if the owner of their building is failing in their responsibilities.

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