A NEW hub in the Kingdom will try to ensure there's no repeat of building standards "failures" such as the Cameron House Hotel fire and crumbling concrete in our schools and hospitals.

A successful pilot scheme, which started in May 2022, has led to Fife being chosen by the Scottish Government to host a permanent centre of expertise.

The aim of the new national building standards hub is to drive up quality and consistency across the country, provide advice and services and support learning and development in the industry.

Dunfermline Press: A fatal accident inquiry in 2022 found that a number of defects in the system of working contributed to the fatal fire at the Cameron House Hotel. A fatal accident inquiry in 2022 found that a number of defects in the system of working contributed to the fatal fire at the Cameron House Hotel. (Image: Newsquest)

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Nigel Kerr, head of protective services at Fife Council, told the cabinet committee: "We all know the tragic events at Grenfell and the Edinburgh school wall collapse led to the formation of review panels on compliance and enforcement and fire safety.

"And those panels identified the need for a central hub and centre of expertise.

"The need for a national building standards hub has been further highlighted by recent events, the Cameron House Hotel fire and issues with RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete).

"That's just two examples of failures in building standards over the years."

Dunfermline Press: The RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) crisis, with scores of public buildings up and down the country found to contain concrete which is prone to collapse, was another failure of building standards.The RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) crisis, with scores of public buildings up and down the country found to contain concrete which is prone to collapse, was another failure of building standards. (Image: Newsquest)

The virtual hub - there's no specific location in Fife - will cost £1.3 million in the first year and be funded by a rise in building warrant fees.

The Scottish Government will add the money for it to the council's financial settlement grant.

Pulling together expertise from the industry and the public sector, the hub will also provide specialist advice in areas including fire engineering, structural engineering, environment and energy. 

Building standards minister Patrick Harvie said: “Buildings in Scotland need to provide high quality, safe and environmentally sustainable places for people to live and work in.

"Building standards have a critical role in making sure new buildings meet the standards we expect.

"The permanent hub within Fife will deliver an important service to improve and strengthen building standards across the country."