Grenfell cladding finally banned

Move comes 5 years after blaze horror

- ALETHA ADU

THE type of cladding that allowed the Grenfell Tower fire to spread so quickly has finally been banned.

Officials have confirmed, five years after the horror blaze that claimed 72 lives, metal composite panels with an unmodified polyethylene core cannot be used on any building.

Data demonstrating the danger of this cladding was first received in 2002.

But previous restrictions applied only to buildings higher than 11m (36ft).

There are also new restrictions on other combustible materials but some will be permitted on buildings under 18m (59ft), subject to a fire tests.