PROPOSED alterations to the materials which Barnsley Council uses to build its houses spurred by a fire which gutted four of its rented homes on the hottest day on record two years ago will be discussed by councillors next week.

Prompted by the fire which ripped through four properties on Woodland Drive, off Broadway, in July 2022 which saw temperatures peak at 40C housing bosses vowed to conduct an investigation into its construction methods.

Berneslai Homes, which manages properties on behalf of Barnsley Council, said the houses ‘met all relevant building and fire safety regulations’ following an investigation.

The houses known as Hawthorn Leslie ‘non-traditional’ builds were built between 1964 and 1979 but only used minimal brickwork for aspects such as semi-detached partition walls and instead had steel frames and cladding.

A probe into its cause concluded it was an accidental fire and sparked in a shed, but the wood and plastic-type materials which clad the housing acted as accelerants.

However, councillors in the area have urged the council to re-think its construction methods on any future house-building projects.

Coun Will Fielding, who represents the Dodworth ward, said: “Following the horrific fires on Woodland Drive the council and Berneslai Homes committed to an investigation into the materials and methods used for constructing those types of properties.

“I’d like the cabinet member to confirm if this report has been completed and if not, when they expect it to be completed by.”