On 9 January, we brought you news that two Lewisham Homes schemes have been recognised as taking the appropriate steps to engage with residents and minimise disruption during building and renovation projects, with the award of a prestigious accreditation. Now we are pleased to announce that one of these schemes has been awarded an even higher score and a Certificate of Excellence.
The work was undertaken by Mulalley for Lewisham Homes at the Vineries in Catford, one of our sheltered accommodation developments for older residents. The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) assessed two different projects: work to install sprinklers as part of a wider fire safety improvement programme, and a project to upgrade windows and erect external scaffolding for roof replacement. The latter scheme also includes sheltered accommodation developments Bearfield House in Catford and Commodore in Deptford.
Both projects initially scored an impressive 40 points out of 50 in the assessment from the CCS. The window and scaffolding project also received a highly regarded certificate for ‘Performance Beyond Compliance’.
We have since been informed that the sprinkler project has now been awarded an even higher score of 42 out of 50 and a Certificate of Excellence. The inspectors described this new score as reflecting “selfless commitments to support the community which without question are exceptional when viewed across the social housing industry as a whole… a great achievement in a relatively short project period.’
The CCS assessed the works across all categories of the Code of Considerate Practice, which commits those registered with the scheme to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce.
The scheme is designed to reward good practice and enable construction sites to become a positive advertisement, not just for themselves but for the industry as a whole. It does this by promoting competent management, efficiency, awareness of environmental issues and, above all, neighbourliness and sensitivity to the needs of those living nearby.
The sprinkler project received high praise in the CCS report. It said: “The presentation of the site compound from signage to condition is exceptional … A full consideration is apparent to recognise the special needs of occupants of sheltered housing [and] robust safety and environmental standards are applied where appropriate.” The assessors thanked Mulalley for their “commitment to considerate construction”.
The windows and scaffolding project also received very good feedback, with works at an earlier stage. The CCS commented: “Using their extensive experience in community engagement the team have had much success in showing that commitment to the residents particularly … in the provision of a respite unit and other more social activities. Robust safety management is evident along with a very experienced site manager.”
To find out more about our sheltered accommodation schemes, click here. You can find out more about Mulalley on their website, and more information about the Considerate Constructors Scheme is available here.