Developer threatened with ban blames Gove’s department
One of the developers threatened with a ban by levelling up secretary Michael Gove has said it is the government’s fault it has not signed the remediation contract.
London Square, which was on a list of 11 housing developers threatened with a ban after missing Monday’s deadline to sign the contract, said it “remained committed to the pledge” to pay for remediation.
Gove told MPs: “Those developers who have been invited to sign the remediation contract but who have not agreed to live up to their responsibilities will not be eligible to join the responsible actors scheme. They will not be able to commence new developments in England or receive building control approval for work already under way.”
One of the developers threatened with a ban by levelling up secretary Michael Gove has said it is the government’s fault it has not signed the remediation contract.
London Square, which was on a list of 11 housing developers threatened with a ban after missing Monday’s deadline to sign the contract, said it “remained committed to the pledge” to pay for remediation.
Gove told MPs: “Those developers who have been invited to sign the remediation contract but who have not agreed to live up to their responsibilities will not be eligible to join the responsible actors scheme. They will not be able to commence new developments in England or receive building control approval for work already under way.”
However, London Square said the blame lay with Gove’s levelling up department.
“We are disappointed to have been included in the list when we had not received a draft contract that was relevant to London Square to reflect the fact that we have no historic fire safety issues,” a spokesperson said.
“Our lawyers are working to reach an agreement with the government lawyers and we understand they are close to achieving this. We are happy to sign when agreed.”
As well as London Square, Abbey Developments, Avant, Ballymore, Dandara, Emerson Group, Galliard Homes, Inland Homes, Lendlease, Rydon Homes and Telford Homes have seemingly refused to sign, despite a number setting aside funds for remediation and signing the original pledge.
Gove indicated that a little more time would be granted to allow developers a change of heart. “I want to allow some of the 11 who have not yet signed a little leeway to ensure they live up to their responsibilities,” he said.
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