{"id":483237,"date":"2023-07-24T13:16:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T12:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=483237"},"modified":"2023-07-24T13:16:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T12:16:51","slug":"gove-lowers-second-staircase-threshold-to-18m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/government\/gove-lowers-second-staircase-threshold-to-18m-24-07-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Gove lowers second-staircase threshold to 18m"},"content":{"rendered":"

Housing secretary Michael Gove has doubled down on the government\u2019s commitment to require second staircases in high-rise residential schemes \u2013 lowering the proposed threshold from 30 metres to 18 metres.<\/span><\/p>\n

In recent months, a number of contractors have halted work on developments over worries arising from<\/span> a government consultation to require second staircases<\/span><\/a> in housing schemes over 30 metres in height.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today (24 July), in a landmark speech on housing, Gove announced that the government was not only committed to the policy, but that it should apply to a lower height threshold than originally proposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said: \u201c[The government\u2019s new] long-term plan for housing [\u2026] builds on our existing progress by confirming the intention to mandate second staircases in new residential buildings above 18 metres, following confirmation from expert bodies that they support this threshold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gove added that the move \u201cresponds to the call from the sector for coherence and certainty\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a considered and gradual evolution of safety standards, which, when taken with our other fire-safety measures and reforms, ensures the safety of people in all tall buildings \u2013 both new and existing,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Gove added that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities would \u201cwork rapidly\u201d with the industry and regulators to design transitional arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n

These, he said, would have the \u201caim of securing the viability of projects which are already underway, avoiding delays where there are other more appropriate mitigations\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Government has confirmed its intention to mandate second staircases in new residential buildings above 18m.<\/p>\n

However, it is clear that this new regulation cannot jeopardise the supply of homes by disrupting schemes that have been planned for years:https:\/\/t.co\/VR3HpLMjDN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Build UK (@BuildUK) July 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n