North Cardiff flats set for recladding and fire-safety improvements

Two blocks of council flats in North Cardiff are set to undergo recladding and fire-safety improvements.

Beech House and Sycamore House, on the Hollybush Estate in Whitchurch, are the next buildings in Cardiff Council's programme to bring homes up to current Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) requirements.

Beech House, Whitchurch

Councillors will consider the procurement arrangements to deliver the work next week.

Cladding was removed from five council high‑rise blocks in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy in London. While the retro‑fitted external cladding on the Cardiff 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 the council's cabinet on Thursday (19 March), form part of the 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.

Lynda Thorne, the council's 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.

“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.