Silverstone Building Consultancy was appointed to act as Party Wall Surveyor on behalf of Yu Group in respect of the development of two large multi-storey residential projects in Newcastle city centre.

As part of the initial due diligence process, our job was to assist the building owner’s solicitor in collating all of the necessary information pertaining to the adjoining legal entities and to agree which adjoining owners required party wall notices to be served.  In total, there were 13 adjoining owners requiring notice to be served for the Wellington House development and a further four adjoining owners requiring notice for the Park One development site.  This made our role as the building owner’s Party Wall Surveyor complex due to the large number of adjoining owners we needed to liaise with.

In addition, we were required to undertake a technical review of all of the latest tender drawings provided from the structural engineers and architects to ensure that notices being served were valid with the correct level of detailed information being provided to the adjoining owners.  Notices were served and responses chased up in accordance with the statutory timeframes as set out in the Party Wall Etc Act 1996.  Further discussions took place with a number of adjoining owners and in the majority of circumstances they proceeded with the appointment of their own independent Party Wall Surveyor to act on their behalf, however in a number of instances, adjoining owners agreed to appoint Silverstone.

Prior to works commencing on site, we undertook Schedules of Condition to the adjoining properties and prepared Party Wall Awards with the agreement of the neighbouring property owners and their surveyors. Within the awards, we agreed the nature and methodology of the proposed construction works.

Due to the nature of the project programme, it was essential that Silverstone acted quickly, cooperating with adjoining owners and demonstrating flexibility of timescales to inspect properties and ensure the client’s deadlines were met.  As part of Silverstone’s role, a tracker document was prepared and regularly updated in order to provide the client with the latest information on the project.

The works commenced on site in January 2019 with all works being undertaken in accordance with the agreed Party Wall Awards.  Anticipated completion of the development project is in early 2021, at which point Silverstone will re-inspect all of the adjoining owner’s properties to ensure no damage has taken place during the course of the construction works. 

Should you require any information or advice on Party Wall matters please contact one of our experts on 0191 231 4263.