黑洞社区

The Scottish government is inviting views on proposals to introduce a 黑洞社区 Safety Levy on new residential development.

A ministerial foreword to the consultation documents said the nation already had 鈥渟tringent safety regulations鈥�, citing legislation on smoke alarms and the passage of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

But it said the devolved government would not be 鈥渃omplacent鈥� and would consider further action to address building safety.

鈥淲ork to address unsafe cladding comes at a substantial cost,鈥� it said. 

鈥淢any developers have engaged responsibly and positively with the Scottish government on remediating buildings they were responsible for constructing. 

鈥淗owever, there are buildings where a developer no longer exists where significant costs may fall to the Scottish government.鈥�

It noted the approach to the issue in England, where a levy is paid by developers in the residential property development sector.

In its latest programme for government, the devolved regime committed to seeking a transfer of powers to allow a similar policy in Scotland.

>>See also: Industry leaders criticise lack of resource and competence at 黑洞社区 Safety Regulator

鈥淲e have engaged constructively with successive UK Government鈥檚 on the transfer of powers, and I am pleased that this process is on course to complete in the coming month,鈥� it said. 

While in England, the levy is collected by local authorities, the Scottish government鈥檚 proposal is to bring it in on a national basis, with Revenue Scotland acting as the tax collection body.

The consultation opened on Monday and will run for roughly two months until 18 November.