Party Wall Services Leeds City College – Mabgate Site

Overview

As the success of Leeds City College continues to grow, their latest ambition was to create a new campus on their Mabgate Site which commenced in November 2023.

The development transforms and creates around 70,000 sq ft of high quality facilities, office space for staff, and residential properties, while contributing to the regeneration of the area and providing community resources on a site which was underutilised for some time.

Challenges and Solutions

Mason Clark Associates (MCA) specialist party wall surveyors role for this project was acting as the Building Owners Surveyor, to ensure that all provisions of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 were complied with.

• Early engagement: Analysis of the initial architectural and structural design resulted in changes to avoid potential areas of conflict with the adjoining owners.

• Owners & occupiers: Our specialist surveyors served the notices on adjoining owners and dealt with subsequent communications with their relevant surveyor, and we agreed the party wall awards necessary for the work to proceed.

• Added value: The initiative of MCA’ surveyors provided added value following analysis of the proposals against the requirement for access to neighbouring properties. Our team negotiated with the adjacent owners and occupiers regarding access and crane over-sailing and drafted the necessary licences.

MCA's Contribution

MCA provided excellent surveying services for this project, and as a result allowed the development to proceed within key programme dates, and to a design that minimised impact on the neighbouring owners and occupiers. The early engagement with the client and design team was highly beneficial and ensured that no delays were encountered at the time the construction works began.

Our contributions included:

• Establishing details of the adjoining owners.

• Preparing and serving all notices under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

• Managing and settling the disputes raised by the adjoining owners.

• Compiling photographic schedules of conditions for the adjoining structures.

• Design analysis and providing valuable advice to ensure the timescales were adhered to.

Results to Date

Construction of this significant expansion of Leeds City College which is scheduled for completion in summer 2025.

Milestones of the project to date include:

• The installation of the structural steelwork.

• Completion of a section of concrete forming a wall of the library.

Overall, the project is progressing well and with no reported issues from neighbouring owners or occupiers.