THE KINGS WHARF DEVELOPMENT, LONDON E8
Project: Planned Maintenance Survey
Client: KWRTM
Services Provided: Building Surveyors, Health & Safety Advice
Contract value: Undisclosed
The Kings Wharf Development, built c2000, is situated on a prime canal basin site in London, E8. It is a 5 storey mixed use residential/commercial development made up of three blocks. The Daniel Connal Partnership was appointed by KWRTM (the block management company) to undertake a comprehensive building survey inspection of the development and to provide a ten year Planned Maintenance Programme for its external elements.
The upper residential floors of the development are characterised by the steel framed gantries which form the common walkways and balconies. Part of our remit was also to offer advice on the failing intumescent coatings to these steel gantries.
Our inspection involved a thorough survey of all aspects of the building’s fabric and site to identify any problems which had developed since construction. We then compiled a report establishing priorities for repairs over a ten year period. Any problems identified were rated 1 – 4 according to the urgency of the required repair, with 1 being the most urgent and 4 being a desirable improvement with no timescale assigned.
We identified and diagnosed existing defects and those likely to arise in the future and then recommended solutions and repairs appropriate to this distinctive structure in a waterside environment
The budget available for the required works was limited. To help the client assess where best to allocate these funds, our experts identified and prioritised the elements of the building fabric that did not meet statutory regulations on building control and fire safety.
We then provided accurate costings and cash flow forecasts to the client, setting a realistic budget for a planned future maintenance programme and provided assistance with the Section 20 Notification process to the leaseholders. Our expertise and support enabled the client to move forward with confidence that sufficient funds would be available to cover future maintenance works.
A significant challenge to working in an occupied residential/commercial development is avoiding undue inconvenience to those occupiers. We were able to offer strategic advice to the management company on the pros and cons of undertaking the work as part of a phased programme (one block at a time) vs a ‘one hit’ approach. We also provided a Risk Register identifying risks to the successful execution of the programme over the duration of its implementation.
Daniel Connal Partnership was delighted to provide expert advice and assistance to our client on this interesting project.

