We undertook the role of Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor in relation to the demolition of an existing semi-detached house in Brinscall, near Chorley, in Lancashire.
Our client (the Adjoining Owner) received a Party Structure Notice, which had been served upon them by their neighbour who wanted to demolish his semi-detached stone cottage and build a new-build large detached house instead.
After being recommended to our client, we reviewed and responded to the Notice on their behalf and we provided advice in relation to The Party Wall Act.
Then we further reviewed the proposed drawings and technical details and we liaised with the Building Owner’s Surveyor and put in place a Party Wall Award that confirmed the rights and responsibilities of the parties.
Our Chartered Building Surveyors dealt with all concerns and insisted that the existing party wall should have an extra skin of masonry to form it into a cavity wall, for weather protection and thermal insulation reasons. This was stipulated as part of the Party Wall Award.
Before the Award was put in place, we undertook a detailed survey of our client’s existing house and prepared a Schedule of Condition, so that any possible damage caused could be re-assessed later.
Once the Award was agreed with the other party’s Surveyor, the neighbour was entitled to commence demolition and go ahead with the construction of his large new-build house.
We inspected whilst the demolition/rebuilding works were being carried out to the new stonework gable wall and we re-inspected again upon completion to ensure that both parties were content with the completed works.
