Enfield Regeneration Project
Delivered for LB Enfield
Project introduction
Lawtech was engaged as Principal Contractor to undertake planned maintenance of a substantial refurbishment involving high-rise blocks.
Our Approach
Lawtech surveyed and undertook planned maintenance of a substantial refurbishment at Scott House, Exeter Road and Beaconsfield Road.
We appointed an architect to help LB Enfield find design solutions that would meet their objectives, comply with local planning, and appeal to residents. The towers were originally of concrete solid wall construction. The application of Rockwool RockShield EWI delivered complete waterproofing and thermal cladding to the block, achieving a U-value improvement of 0.30W/(m2K). To achieve this, a mixture of scaffolding and mast climbers were utilised, thereby maximising time efficiencies.
Central boiler houses were built on the newly re-lined roofs, enabling the district heating system to supply each of the flats. The residents now have greater thermal comfort, and this substantially reduced energy bills.
An advanced Langley insulated flat roof system was selected to suit the new heating system and improve the existing roof lining. The replacement roof delivered waterproofing, strength and additional thermal benefits.
Challenges
The blocks had previously relied upon electric storage heating, which was replaced with a comprehensive M&E solution. This involved connecting the blocks at Exeter Road to a gas main across the adjacent public highway. Lawtech appointed a specialist sub-contractor to carry out the roadworks.
The Contract Management Team’s responsibilities included liaising with the Local Authority Highways Department to:
Obtain all necessary permissions to excavate a trench to carry the new gas main across the road.
Agree a temporary traffic diversion whilst the trench traversed the highway.
Notify the Fire Service of temporary disruption to their usual access/parking at Scott House.
Lawtech’s Structural Engineer surveyed the gas main requirements and liaised with British Gas to determine:
Calculations for the depth of the gas main and the strength of reinforcement to be laid over it.
The degree of compaction needed for backfilling the trench and restoring the road surface.
Resident Liaison
Lawtech’s Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) took great care to understand the support needs, not only of vulnerable individuals on the official Risk Register, but also those whose personal circumstances could potentially have delayed Lawtech gaining access to their properties.
The tailored measures co-ordinated by the RLO to keep the programme on course are highlighted by the following examples of arrangements made during asbestos clearance works:
The RLO recognised that the most economical, practical way to manage a night-worker’s sleep pattern was to offer him hotel accommodation for 48 hours, which he gratefully accepted.
A specialist wheelchair was sourced for a morbidly obese resident. The RLO obtained permission from Enfield Homes to take the lady out for a few hours, collecting her at 08:00 and spending the day with her. This included having lunch with her and later settling her back into her property, ensuring everything was left tidy.
Social Value
Lawtech always look to provide social and added value on all contracts. On this project, this included:
We took part in a local Careers, Jobs and Training Fair in Enfield to support a scheme delivered to the blocks there. The fair was supported by many businesses working in the local area. The task was to offer working gained employment, self-employment opportunities, training sessions, and employment support. The session allowed for the identification of local labour and provided opportunities for Resident Liaison Officer apprentices.
Our Customer Service Manager organised a DIY Skills Day to pass some homecare skills to the residents. We provided ice cream and the local fire service provided a fire engine for the children to interact with. This aided in educating the children about the potential hazards of building works.
Lawtech provided mobile health screening and healthy living classes.
We provided separate respite areas for residents during works.
