30 October update

Hello all

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

Updates from the Construction team

In previous updates we indicated two primary factors contributing to the anticipated delays:

• our limited control over when Mullaley achieves practical completion (PC)
• uncertainties surrounding the timely provision of necessary documentation for Building Safety Registration (BSR).

These remain the principle causes of delay and the reasons we’re unable to predict a date for PC or occupation.

Mulalley must complete the following works (flagged in previous updates) before we’re able to issue PC:

1. Submission and acceptance of s278 crossover drawings including Virgin Media & BT lowering of services (see latest update below).
2. Provision of compliance documentation required for handover (EPCs, lift certificates, Building Control sign off, Building Warranty sign off etc).
3. Provision of handover documentation, such as Operations & Maintenance Manuals, Health & Safety files, Approved Document B Regulation 38 pack, etc.
4. NHBC certification, including the updated fire strategy that will demonstrate that fire safety measures are in place for phased occupation.
5. Water ingress remedial works to lower ground floor flats in both shared ownership blocks (this is nearing completion, see Sales update below).

See also Your questions at the bottom of the webpage for a fuller explanation.

Significant outstanding works to enable PC

Lift compliance update

Following discovery of an issue with the lifts during witness testing, a compliant solution has been agreed.

Mulalley anticipates starting the remedial works the week beginning 4 November, when materials to carry out the works are due to be delivered. After this, our third-party lift consultant will be invited to re-inspect and issue the lift certificates. These are required by Building Control to sign off that element of the building works.

s278 works update

Mulalley previously advised they would respond to the highways engineer’s 13-page request for further information no sooner than 21 October. They have now confirmed they expect to submit the information on Friday 1 November.

Once accepted by the highways engineer, the independent Road Safety Audit (RSA) process could take a further six weeks.

Virgin Media lowering of services

The Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has been approved and Virgin Media works are scheduled for 16-20 December.

BT lowering of services

The initial fee was paid to enable survey works to take place to enable BT to apply for a permit for lowering its services.

BT have advised a duration of 12 weeks for approval of their works to start on site and we are now in week two. This brings us to the second week of January. If it does take this long, we will negotiate another extension of time with the Council for the s278 works.

We will do all we can to ensure the highways team are aware of the benefit of coordinating all these works.

Water ingress update

Externally, the screed base layer is complete. The waterproofing membrane needs to adhere to a dry surface before the paving can be laid. Subject to the weather, we expect this to be complete in November.

The internal fit-out works are starting on Monday 4 November, with a 3-4 week lead time to complete (see also Sales update).

Other updates

The following activities have also taken place since the last update:

• NHBC lock and leave inspections have begun, meaning operatives are not able to access inspected flats without supervision.
• Mulalley has relocated their welfare and office accommodation to the ground floor communal lounge of block A. This is to enable fit outs of the office, staff and pamper rooms.
• Weekly meetings are taking place to review the progress of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Health and Safety (H&S) files between Mulalley and their supply chain.
• We received the witness testing report from our consultant on 30 October. Mulalley is finishing off any outstanding actions contained in the report.

What this means for the timeline

Block C

Our Employer’s Agent will accept PC once Mulalley completes the outstanding works outlined above (see five numbered points at beginning of this update). Block C can then be handed over and occupied in sections.

Based on our previous experience we anticipate PC will be after Christmas.

Block B

As above, based on previous experience we anticipate PC will be after Christmas.

Occupation of Block B will take place after we have collated and validated all the documents required for BSR and for the Regulator to review and approve the submission. Some of these documents will not be available until PC.

We have already begun the process of gathering and reviewing this documentation and will continue to do this whilst outstanding works are completed. As BSR registration is a new requirement, we don’t yet know how long it will take. We have previously estimated it may take up to six months.

Block B progress

Our latest Clerk of Works inspection reports:

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

Block C progress

Our latest Clerk of Works inspection reports:

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

Extra Care Blocks A and D progress

• 41 flats have been snagged
• 14 flats have been de-snagged
• 0 units are completed
• Communal landscaping is complete
• Internal communal areas are at builder's snag stage and are almost complete.
• Communal furniture has been delivered.

The Council will be given three months' notice to occupy Block A and D on receipt of the Practical Completion certificate. This will allow mobilisation of the care provider team.

Updates from the Sales team

Viewings

We will arrange viewings of the flats affected by water ingress once decorative works have been finalised and the properties are ready to view.

Although we can't be sure when the repairs will be complete, we are anticipating being in a position to organise these viewings around the end of November.

Tenancy extensions

When we met in July, our advice was to enter or extend your tenancies for a further six months because of the anticipated delays. This was to provide some security before we knew how long the delays would be.

Should your tenancies come up for renewal again, please contact us so we can discuss the best course of action. Where agreed, we will work with your tenancy terms if we are able to take handover at an earlier date.

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 13 November 2024.

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 if you wish your query to remain private.