Mast Quay – Phase 2

No. Given Comer’s imminent Appeal against the Enforcement Notice and its belief that it will be successful in overturning the decision, tenants have no immediate need to move out as the Appeal process will be lengthy and require extensive engagement, with no decision expected until some time in 2024.

No, residents of Mast Quay Phase II are not required to pay any fines to the Council and Comer Homes Group would like to reassure residents that their needs and concerns are of the utmost priority and every step is being taken to find a quick and amicable resolution with the Council to withdraw the Enforcement Notice.

Comer Homes Group has set up a dedicated team to manage all questions and concerns from residents of Mast Quay Phase II and will be in regular contact to keep them updated on the situation.

The Council allege that the completed development is not consistent with the 2012 planning permission and allege 26 differences.

Comer Homes Group is shocked and surprised by this decision, especially following continued unsuccessful attempts to engage with the Council on various matters over the past five years. Comer Homes Group remains steadfast that the Council’s position is inaccurate and misrepresents the situation.

A. They exaggerate the differences between the planning permission and the completed building.
B. They confuse Building Control and Planning matters.
C. They have refused to engage constructively with Comer to remedy the issues.
D. They have demanded the demolition of the development, which is unprecedented, unreasonable, extreme, and wholly disproportionate.

Comer Homes Group maintains that this issue with the Council is one focused on Building Control and not planning permission.

No. The planning permissions were lawfully implemented. All new buildings have differences from historic planning designs as they reflect new regulations and the changes inherent in the construction process.

The original planning permission is over ten years old and out of date. The original designs had an external façade that would not comply with post-Grenfell Building regulations. Mast Quay Phase II is a lawful building that fully complies with all current building regulations, which includes stringent fire control measures and a fully fireproof façade.

If the original planning permission design had been followed without changes (changes which were necessary) then it would be unsafe and uncompliant with current building regulations and requirements set post-Grenfell.

Comer has repeatedly explained to the Council why the external façade has been changed to reflect new Building Regulations and made the relevant Council officials aware at every stage of the construction process that required alterations to the original design or materials.

Not at all. The Building Control Authority has inspected and approved the construction. The development is fully compliant with current Building Regulations. The homes are finished to a high standard and the quality is tenure-blind so that affordable homes and private rental are equal. The current line held by the Council that residents are at risk in the building is wholly untrue, unfounded and causing unnecessary anxiety and concern for those who live at Mast Quay Phase II.

It is very hard to understand or quantify why the Council has demanded such an extreme and disproportionate measure. There is no reason why changes to the development cannot be made and Mast Quay 2 receive a retrospective planning permission.

The Council appear to imply that the building is unsafe at least in part as they were not used as the Building Control Authority. Not only is this standard practice, but additionally in this circumstance the Approved Inspector was Hertsmere Building Control.

Occupations began in August 2022, well before the Council raised concerns or the Enforcement Notice. The Council has contradicted itself by raising and receiving Council tax demands on apartments, whilst at the same time saying it didn’t know about occupations.

At no point has Comer Homes Group received a formal request or demand from the Council, despite its claims to the contrary, to cease the moving in of new tenants. The Council merely made a request for an undertaking of Comer’s position on marketing to new tenants.

Comer had no expectation that the Council would take such unprecedented actions or adopt such an unreasonable position as to demand demolition, as this was never suggested or warned by officials at any point, otherwise Comer Homes Group could have considered an alternative position.

This is simply not true. The Building Control Authority has confirmed the building is safe and fully complies with regulations. The homes are finished to a high standard and the quality is tenure-blind so that affordable homes and private rental are equal. The Council’s main concerns around the difference in design is due to a change in Building Regulations, which Comer Homes had to adapt to meet.

Comer Homes Group has not yet installed the children’s play space because it has revised the layout of the original design to deliver a much-improved amenity that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Comer Homes Group submitted a revised landscaping strategy in August 2023. This has yet to be acknowledged by Council officials.

Comer recognises that the landscaping needs to be improved and are committed to delivering green spaces and areas that are practical and can be enjoyed by all.

This accusation is simply not true. 100% of the apartments are built to lifetime home standards.

Furthermore, Comer Homes Group retains the freehold and is fully responsible for the management of the building, which means all homes at Mast Quay Phase II can be adapted for disabled residents.

The issues regarding thresholds, steps, etc are all matters that can be addressed by Comer Homes Group on an individual/apartment-by-apartment basis subject to the needs of tenants.

Following flooding at Mast Quay Phase I in which cars were damaged, Comer recognised the need to replace the undercroft parking. The new requirements for electric vehicles and associated insurance mean that the allocated parking for these types must be at ground level. A further factor that has led to reduced parking is the increased size of sprinkler tanks present in the undercroft space, due to the installation of extra sprinklers to meet updated fire safety regulation, which have been implemented since the original planning permission was granted.

Comer Homes Group updated the relevant Council officials about this issue and sought guidance and advice on retrospective or updated planning permission.

Furthermore, Comer Homes Group has implemented a car club scheme at Mast Quay Phase II to reduce car use, which is in line with the borough and GLA policy on reducing emissions.

The commercial space has not been removed. The area has been utilised to provide an additional amenity for residents of the building that promotes health and well being.

• Over 100 residents will be evicted and forced to find new homes
• 204 quality apartments will be lost to the housing supply in Greenwich
• Affordable homes will be lost
• The average rent for homes in Greenwich is £2,575pcm, of which 73% of homes at Mast Quay Phase II are priced below
• Significant quantities of embedded carbon will be emitted
• Neighbouring residents will endure many months of disruption
• Millions of pounds of public money will be spent and wasted to no practical purpose
• The Council is offering no meaningful help to the residents of Mast Quay Phase II, instead advising them to seek individual support.

Comer Homes Group refutes the Council’s current position and statements from the Leader and various Members and will robustly defend itself. An appeal was successfully lodged on 30th October 2023 and whilst Comer Homes Group is fully prepared to work constructively with the Council to address their concerns, it will ensure the due process of the Appeal is followed to bring the situation to a positive conclusion.

6 October 2023
Comer Homes has been successful in securing an urgent meeting with Council officials to discuss the issues raised by Officials and address Comer’s counter concerns. The Council has stated it is open to resolving the matter through retrospective Planning Permission, which would negate the Enforcement Notice, however, Comer Homes Group maintains its position to appeal should these discussions not reach a satisfactory conclusion.

8 November 2023
Comer Homes Group held a positive meeting this week with the Council, where a way forward was discussed in the interest of finding a mutually satisfactory set of proposals to resolve the outstanding points at Mast Quay Phase II. Comer Homes Group look forward to finding those solutions collaboratively with the Council.