Grand Designs Kevin McCloud backs Mail campaign for homeowners in properties with fire-risk cladding

Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud backs Mail on campaign for homeowners stuck in properties with fire-risk cladding

  • Grand Designs Kevin McCloud slammed ministers’ response to cladding crisis
  • TV presenter said plans to make leaseholders cover costs were ‘inappropriate’
  • Mail revealed long-term loans to fix problem could slash property values by 30%

Discussing the crisis on Channel 4’s Packed Lunch, Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud, pictured, slammed ministers’ response to the cladding crisis

Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud has slammed ministers’ response to the cladding crisis after the Mail revealed long-term loans to fix the problem could slash property values by 30 per cent.

The TV presenter said current plans to make leaseholders cover costs were ‘inappropriate’ – but revealed his hope that the Mail’s campaign could force a change in direction. 

He said of the scandal of homeowners trapped in homes with flammable cladding: ‘It has damaged people’s quality of life over the past year or so – it has to change.’

Last week the Mail revealed that proposals by a Government adviser could force freeholders to cover the costs through a 30-year loan. 

They would then charge leaseholders higher service charge fees to pay for it. 

Critics warn any outstanding debt would be cut from the value of homes when leaseholders sell.

Last week the Mail revealed that proposals by a Government adviser could force freeholders to cover the costs through a 30-year loan. Pictured: Neighbours living in a development in central Manchester face bills of up to £40k each due to dangerous cladding and missing fire breaks in their building

Last week the Mail revealed that proposals by a Government adviser could force freeholders to cover the costs through a 30-year loan. Pictured: Neighbours living in a development in central Manchester face bills of up to £40k each due to dangerous cladding and missing fire breaks in their building

Discussing the crisis on Channel 4’s Packed Lunch, Mr McCloud, pictured, said: ‘The Government has stepped in, but it has stepped in with a loan scheme. 

‘The loans are inappropriate for people who might be approaching retirement, who can’t afford them, and they are certainly inappropriate for people who don’t bear responsibility for the choice of the cladding. 

‘The Government is going to have to say “we’re going to have to pay for this”.’

Mr McCloud said there was a ‘groundswell of action groups and the Daily Mail’, meaning the issue ‘is not going to go away’.