Brenchley Gardens

Work programme and delivery

In September 2022, Elkins Construction was engaged under the 2017/18 Quality Homes Improvement Programme to undertake an extensive programme of external refurbishment works to Brenchley Gardens for Southwark Council. The estate is occupied by residents of all ages and is located close to Brockley and Honor Oak Park. It is surrounded by a number of open green spaces including Brenchley Gardens and the One Tree Hill woodlands.

The initial scope of the improvement works included external brick and concrete repairs, as well as external decorations, roof replacements, window repairs and fire risk assessments to be carried out to a number of the residential blocks. As is the case with many of our major refurbishment programmes, throughout the course of our work, and as a result of surveys carried out, additional tasks were identified throughout the project and added to the scope.

As a result of the FRA assessments, new cladding was installed to the front and rear of the buildings. Existing asbestos soffits were removed and replaced, along with the fascias, with new versions made from fire-rated materials.

A number of repairs were made following a CCTV underground drainage survey, new guttering was installed and existing redundant water tanks were removed. The initial requirement for window repairs was upgraded to complete window overhauls for 13 of the properties, and surveys on residents’ porches resulted in remedial works to the porch roofs, including raising them 220mm to increase the thickness of insulation as per new regulations.

In addition to the above, some internal works were identified, including replacements to some residents’ kitchens, renewal of bathroom extraction fans in some homes, installation of occupational therapy bathrooms for two properties and electrical remedial works.

The Elkins team engaged with residents throughout, keeping them up to date with the progress of the project and making themselves available to listen to any questions or concerns. Despite the expanded scope of the work and a number of days lost to inclement weather, the Elkins team went above and beyond to complete the project to schedule.