Job loss fears over safety rules
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Robert Coghill – ‘If the legislation isn’t reviewed it could lead to huge job losses in the Far North.’
BUILDING contractors in Caithness have expressed fears that new water supply rules will have a damaging impact on the industry locally... and even lead to job losses.
The Scottish Government introduced new legislation last October stating that every new house required an adequate water supply for fire fighting purposes.
Previously domestic buildings were exempt from complying with this standard.
Building contractors say that this legislation adds major construction costs at a time when the industry is facing severe difficulties.
The Highland Council’s planning, environment and development (PED) committee is now calling for the Scottish Government to urgently review the recent changes.
Landward Caithness councillor Robert Coghill said that he has spoken to several contractors based in the Far North who are worried about their future.
“In most rural areas the water supply is at a low pressure,” he said. “If you don’t have a fire hydrant or the supply of water is not able to be used by the fire brigade, contractors are required to install a 45,000 litre tank or a pond.
“The potential cost of this is between £10,000 and £15,000.
“This is at a time when the building industry is facing difficult challenges.”
He added: “It is my view that the legislation is over the top.
“I have received queries from architects and contractors based in rural areas who rely on building isolated rural houses. Nobody can deny that safety is a big issue. But there haven’t been any lives lost because the legislation hasn’t been in place.
“If the legislation isn’t reviewed it could lead to the potential of huge job losses in the Far North.”
Michael Green, director of Canisbay-based Green and Cameron Ltd, said that the legislation is in danger of killing businesses off. He stated that even though it hasn’t impacted on his company yet, the legislation will definitely have a bearing on future plans.
“All the houses we build are in rural locations and there are only a few hydrants that are located in the countryside,” he explained. “What will happen as a result is that there will be an increase in ponds in Caithness.
“If the legislation was applied for the development of a cluster of houses I could see the point as if one house catches fire they all catch fire.
“It’s going to make new isolated houses in the countryside unaffordable to the customer.”
He added: “It’s already getting to the stage where a new-build house is not an attractive option compared to a few years ago. These regulations are only making things worse for contractors.”
PED chairman Ian Ross says that the legislation is already having a big impact in the Highlands.
“There has been no consultation with local authorities over this change,” he said. “While no-one wants to be complacent about the risk of fire, we also need to ensure that people looking to build their homes in rural locations are not burdened with onerous costs.
“At the recent PED meeting, members expressed very strong feelings that the enforcement of this standard effectively opposes our development plan and is causing anxiety to our customers. Due to the geography of our area this issue is important as it impacts on so many people at a time when we are actively promoting development in the countryside through our development plan.”
Mr Ross has written to the cabinet secretary for finance, employment and sustainable growth and to the cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment expressing the council’s concerns.
The issue has already been raised with COSLA and discussions are taking place with the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.
