Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, revealed in a written statement to the Senedd that 11 firms have now committed to carrying out remediation works on Welsh multi-occupancy residential schemes.
In a written update on progress on the Welsh Building Safety Programme, she highlighted Watkin Jones’ failure to sign up and warned it could be banned from further developments.
She wrote: “I am disappointed that Watkin Jones are yet to sign our contract. I do not consider this to be acceptable.
“I have made it clear, and will do so again when I meet Watkins Jones, that I will consider all options available, including prohibitions on development, to ensure developers step up to their responsibilities. ”
The firm has previously told residents impacted by cladding issues at its Doc Fictoria development on the banks of the Menai Straits in Caernarfon that it would foot remediation costs.
Residents at the scheme say a surveyors report for them put the remediation costs somewhere between £15m-£20m.
James added: “We are working with other developers, understanding we all have a common interest in putting right fire safety issues and knowing the reputational damage of not doing so swiftly.”
James added that the Building Safety (Wales) Bill would be introduced to the Senedd in the present parliamentary term.
She said: “It is our intention to go significantly further than the building safety regime introduced in England via the Building Safety Act 2022.
“Our new regime will capture all multi-occupied residential buildings in Wales which contain two or more residential units regardless of height.”
Current plans for the new regime will place new duties on local authorities to regulate the occupation phase of the new regime.