2 October update

Hello all

See below our latest update outlining progress on the Greenside development.

Updates from the Construction team

Work on site since the last update includes the following activities:

• Landscaping is now complete. A tree railing on the boundary and a pergola on block D roof remain to be completed.

• The witness testing has been carried out. A query has been raised by our third-party consultant about the enclosure to the ground floor entrance of each lift. Mulalley advised they have identified a solution, but this needs approval by both the manufacturer and our third-party consultant.

• We have now received our third-party fire consultant (OFR) pre-occupation FRA (Fire Risk Assessment), following their site visit on 20 August. The report has been issued to Mulalley and all actions will be completed before handover.

There are two outstanding planning conditions:

• Condition 20 is a pre-occupation planning condition which requires approval of external lighting levels. Mulalley has submitted the survey to the planners.

• Condition 22 is a compliance condition relating to the s278 crossover works. The Non-Material Amendment (see Glossary) has now expired. We’ve requested an extension from the council to allow occupation of Blocks B and C before works are complete. Planners have advised they will liaise with Highways. Southern Housing will continue to chase the planners.

We previously indicated two primary factors contributing to the anticipated delays: our limited control over when the contractor achieves practical completion, and uncertainties surrounding the timely provision of necessary documentation for Building Safety Registration.

The uncertainty around the length of time it could take to agree a solution for the lift entrances and the s278 works means we are no longer expecting to achieve an October PC date.

What this means for the timeline

Although we’re no longer expecting to achieve PC in October, this does not necessarily mean the overall timeline for Building Safety Registration will be extended. We will work to recover this delay from within the six-month period we have allowed for registration. Therefore, we do not anticipate any further delay to occupation of Block B.

We will better identify the impact of any delay to occupation of Block C by our next update. We understand this news will cause some concern to our buyers. We are working to keep any delays to a minimum.

As previously reported, the NHBC confirmed Block B must be handed over as a complete building. We decided to factor in a six-month delay after practical completion to allow for the building safety registration process. This hasn’t changed since the last update.

The fire strategy has been revised by Mullaley. The strategy needs to demonstrate that fire safety measures are in place for phased occupation. Mulalley is expected to re-submit to the NHBC (by the latest) the middle of next week (Wednesday 9 Oct).

Virgin Media and s278 works update:

Virgin Media submitted a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) to the Council on 13 September. On the 24 September we were advised that the permit was refused, and Transport for London wish to meet Virgin Media to discuss the travel management as this will affect the main bus routes. We have been advised this site visit will take place the second week of October at the earliest.

As reported last time the final technical drawings were submitted to the Highways Engineer on 29 August. Mulalley is expecting feedback on these imminently because the review is expected to take six weeks from receipt. This takes us to 10 October.

Water ingress update:

NHBC has signed off the design change and Mulalley has commenced works to reinstall the paving on a permeable base of crushed limestone. Current weather conditions are hampering progress. We are seeking a timescale for the completion of these works.

Blocks A and D progress

• Block D communal areas are at builder's snag stage and are almost complete.
• Block A communal furniture has been delivered.

The Council will be given three months' notice to occupy Block A on receipt of the Practical Completion certificate. This will allow mobilisation of the care provider team. This hasn’t changed since the last update.

Block B Progress

Further progress has been made with snagging. Our latest Clerk of Works inspection reports:

• 28 flats have been snagged
• 20 flats have been de-snagged
• 12 flats are fully complete awaiting sales sign off.

Block C progress

Our latest Clerk of Works inspection reports:

• 26 flats have been snagged
• 21 flats have been de-snagged
• 12 flats are complete, awaiting sales sign-off.

Updates from the Sales team

There are no updates from the Sales team this time. If you have any questions for the Sales team, please get in touch directly with adina.shaw@southernhousing.org.uk or sarah.dodd@southernhousing.org.uk

Next update

Our next update is due on 16 October 2024. If we have significant information to report before then, we will send an additional update.

You’ll find more information, including answers to frequently asked questions on our webpage.

Any queries should be directed to the webpage in the first instance. This is monitored by members of the team, allowing queries to be picked up when individual members are unavailable. Please indicate in your message if you wish your query to remain private.