Southern Housing Group appoints Wates for Reading cladding contract
Southern Housing Group appoints Wates for Reading cladding contract
Leading affordable housing maintenance provider, Wates has been appointed to install a new cladding system at Southern Housing Groups St Lawrence House in Reading.
The contract, valued at approximately £1.8m, includes the removal of the existing cladding and insulation from the eight-storey building, and the installation of a new A2 cladding system with new insulation.
Wates appointment follows a comprehensive fire safety testing process at St Lawrence House, which resulted in a proposed new cladding system that has been fully approved by Reading Borough Councils Building Control team.
Work began in November 2018, when scaffolding was erected. The cladding replacement began in January and is progressing on schedule, with a planned completion date of October.
Wates is working closely with Southern Housing Group to ensure disruption to residents will be kept to a minimum throughout the works.
The contract adds to Wates Living Spaces existing work on behalf of the Group. This also includes a five-year responsive repairs and void refurbishment programme across 3,759 properties in Greater London.
Chris Harris, Southern Housing Groups Director of Customer Service, said:
Our residents safety is our highest priority and we want to remove and replace this cladding as quickly and efficiently as possible. We were keen to work with a partner with an equal commitment to customer care and were sure Wates will do an excellent job.
David Morgan, Managing Director of Wates Living Space, commented:
It is vital that these important works are managed efficiently and with the greatest of care. We have and will continue to work with Southern Housing Group to ensure residents minds are kept at ease and that they remain fully informed throughout our work at St Lawrence House.
