A changed industry – but not a fixed one

The tragedy spurred an overhaul in regulations, leading to the formation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), the introduction of the Building Safety Act, and a renewed focus on product traceability and competence across the supply chain. This progress, while not without its challenges, is a testament to the industry’s commitment to building safety.

“In the years since Grenfell, we’ve seen lots of regulatory change,” says Tony Hill, Managing Director at Eden Facades. “There’s no longer an assumption that ‘someone else’ is responsible. Every party in the chain has to be accountable – and rightly so.”

Progress meets frustration: The BSR Gateway delays

Yet for all the progress, the path to safer buildings hasn’t been without obstacles.

The introduction of the BSR’s Gateway system – particularly Gateway Two, which requires complete design and fire strategy sign-off before any construction begins – has led to severe delays across the industry. Tony, comments:

“We fully support the principle of Gateway approvals – it’s about ensuring buildings are designed safely before a single brick is laid. But the reality is that many projects are stalling. We’ve seen cases waiting 9 to 11 months just to clear Gateway Two.”

“Crucially, it’s not the industry that is delaying remediation projects – the delays are being caused by an agency set up by the Government. There’s a lack of staff to check, review and approve Gateway Two applications.”

These bottlenecks are creating significant knock-on effects: delayed programmes, cost escalations, and uncertainty that make it difficult for contractors, consultants, and clients to plan effectively. Tony adds:

“You wonder what cost to the economy these delays are having. Construction is a significant contributor to the economy and a major source of employment. The delays are costing the industry by forcing businesses to fold through no fault of their own, and we are losing experienced people as a result. When you look at the impact closely, it really does feel like the Government is shooting itself in the foot.”

Work still to be done on remediation

As of February 2025, 5,014 residential buildings over 11 metres in height had been identified with unsafe cladding. Of these, 2,428 buildings (48%) have either started or completed remediation works. That leaves 52% still with dangerous cladding. Eight years on, this begs the question: Is this acceptable?

Recent steps have been taken to combat the Gateway Two delays, expedite the application process, and ultimately remove unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings and replace it with fire-compliant cladding. With the BSR now functioning as a new Executive Agency within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Tony adds:

“Delays from the BSR remain a genuine concern – we need a clear body to raise these issues with and push for accountability. But most importantly, there are still thousands of people living in unsafe homes. The industry wants to do something about that, but the Government is causing untold delays.”

It remains to be seen whether these changes will expedite the application process. Still, we must continue to seek ways to initiate these projects and, more importantly, remediate the numerous unsafe buildings.

Beyond compliance: Building safety as a mindset

The truth is, no law can substitute for moral responsibility. No checklist replaces common sense. No certification absolves a duty of care.

At Eden Facades, safety is not just a requirement; it’s a way of thinking. It’s not just something we do – it’s who we are. This commitment to safety is ingrained in our culture and guides every decision we make, ensuring the highest quality of work for our clients.

The quality of our work is something we take great pride in. We ensure that every component we install meets our standards. While the exterior may be the most visible part of a façade, what’s underneath is equally essential. Our third-party accreditations, including KIWA, SWIGA, and the IAA, further validate this commitment to excellence.

Proper installation of substructures, insulation, and other supporting elements is crucial for a façade’s long-term performance. These hidden components contribute to thermal efficiency, safety, and the overall resilience of the building.

Grenfell must never be forgotten

The Grenfell disaster serves as a constant reminder of our responsibility to prioritise safety in every project we undertake, every decision we make, and every day we go to site.

The Netflix documentary doesn’t just revisit the tragedy – it reframes it. It asks difficult questions about accountability, regulation, and systemic failure. And it’s a necessary watch for anyone who still believes “it couldn’t happen again.” Tony, adds:

“The fire might have been eight years ago, but the responsibility lives on every day we go on site. As contractors, we must never let time dull the urgency of what Grenfell taught us.”

Building with purpose and precision

The construction industry has made progress, but there’s still more to be done. The delays in the Gateway system need to be addressed. Effective communication between design teams and regulators is essential. But amid the challenges, one thing remains clear:

Safety must be built into every project – not retrofitted, not compromised, and never forgotten.

At Eden Facades, we are committed to delivering compliant, future-proof cladding solutions. If you’re looking for a team to deliver a cladding remediation project, get in touch with our team by emailing office@edenfacades.co.uk or give us a call on 01268 744 199