Decision details

026/DforH&C/23-24 Contract for Ashcroft Demolition Works

DECISIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AT 5PM ON THE DAY THAT A CALL-IN EXPIRES. DECISIONS MAY BE ENACTED AFTER 5PM ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE INDICATED BELOW IN THE 'EFFECTIVE FROM' COLUMN

Decision Maker: Director for Housing & Communities

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decision:

To enter contract with M&M Demolition Ltd to demolish the main building at Ashcroft, Kingston Lane for both health and safety and development enabling reasons, following a decant (for health and safety reasons), planning approval in 2021 for redevelopment and a thorough tender process for the works in Autumn 2023.

Reasons for the decision:

In early 2020, residents of the Ashcroft Sheltered Housing block were moved out following a Type 1 Fire Risk Assessment for the building which indicated serious issues with the evacuation strategy and compartmentation of the building. A further Type 4 risk assessment found that risk to life from fire was substantial, and in addition, the building does not meet the requirement of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

 

To comply with current regulatory standards and those actions identified within the Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment, any refurbishment would result in a significant net loss of dwellings in the block. In 2021, residents were consulted on refurbishment and redevelopment options with the majority of residents in favour of construction of a new block rather than refurbishment of the existing. In 2022, planning consent was achieved for the demolition of the Ashcroft block and delivery of a new, 44-unit sheltered housing scheme. £407,000 was secured from the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to support the preparatory works and the abnormal costs associated with delivery of the project.

 

In Summer 2023, tenders were invited for the construction works required to deliver the project, which included the demolition works. At the same time, the Council learnt that it would not be eligible for Homes England funding until it was deemed by the Regulator to be out of the regulatory breach, so we are not able to proceed at present with the redevelopment works.

 

The building at Ashcroft is fundamentally unsafe, with rainwater ingress potentially affecting the integrity of the structure, damage to flooring and staircases, no power or heat and broken windows. It is costing the Council a lot of money in efforts to keep secure, including rent of fencing, steel panelling across windows, steel across doors, CCTV to capture any intruders and a responsive security company. Despite this, the building has been broken into many times. 

 

We have the BLRF grant to demolish the building and prepare the site for development, which if unspent after March 2024, will have to be returned. 

 

In Autumn 2023, single stage fixed price tenders were invited for the demolition works. Five submissions were received. Tender documents specified a 60% Price . 40% Quality split in terms of evaluation weighting. Following this moderation review, and a review of accuracy and measured works. M&M Demolition Ltd scored both the highest in terms of Quality and Price, with a tender sum to the value of £129,200, confirmed by our Employers Agent and Quantity Surveyor as representing value for money for a demolition scheme of this nature and geographical location.

 

The administrator of the BLRF grant will not seek to claw back the difference between the grant and the cost of the works. Soon after, to satisfy the conditions of the grant, the Council will either have to a) implement the planning permission (which can be achieved through digging of a trench for example) to demonstrate that development is progressing or b) dispose of the land to a third party to enable development to come forward.

 

Alternative options considered:

To keep the building in-situ until demolition can be included within a main delivery contract. This was discounted because the building is costing a lot of money to keep up and it is increasingly difficult to guarantee non-entry. Further, we are unsure when we may be eligible for Homes England grant and be able to continue delivery of the project.

 

To refurbish the building. This was discounted because it is not cost efficient or logistically possible to improve the building to a proper standard.

Publication date: 22/02/2024

Date of decision: 22/02/2024

Effective from: 01/03/2024