Neighbourly Matters

This major regeneration scheme in north London comprised six buildings which include 1,030 new homes, 20 new retail spaces, co-working and office space, a health centre serving 20,000 local people and large areas of new public open space. The development was granted planning approval in December 2018 and has achieved practical completion with the overall development finishing in 2026. 

We were involved at an early stage to provide initial advice on potential constraints and opportunities in relation to daylight & sunlight and rights of light. We undertook a laser scan measured survey and produced a detailed 3D model and undertook thorough analysis which was fed back to the design team. Once the proposals were finalised, further analysis was produced and followed by an Environmental Statement Chapter and reports to accompany the planning application. We also prepared and initial stage 1 party wall report.

Clear lines of communication between the client, project management team, architects and planning consultants were vital on such a large scale project. We were able to work cohesively alongside the entire team to provide guidance and technical advice at various stages throughout the process.

Adelphi Village’s masterplan represents a significant milestone in sustainable regeneration. Designed to use around 90% less energy than traditional homes, the development will deliver a mix of affordable, open market sale and build to rent tenures housing at a scale rarely seen in the country (with over 35% affordable).

As part of this transformative programme, Hollis has been appointed by Muse and ECF to undertake daylight and sunlight, party wall and access advisory services across the masterplan. Our role supports the delivery of a compliant and technically robust scheme that can be progressed with confidence at every stage.

The masterplan forms a central element of the £2.5bn Salford Crescent regeneration, a 252-acre initiative led by Muse and The English Cities Fund (ECF), in partnership with Salford City Council and the University of Salford. Across multiple brownfield plots, the vision is to create a sustainable new neighbourhood of low- and medium-rise affordable homes, strengthened by excellent transport links and high-quality public realm.

We are working alongside the wider project team to support a masterplan that is both ambitious and deliverable. Our services help ensure that each plot can be brought forward in line with statutory and neighbourly obligations, while optimising development potential within a complex urban context.

Willohaus, the first plot to come forward, comprises a five- and six-storey Passivhaus-certified apartment building delivering 100 high-quality one- and two-bedroom homes. Designed by Buttress, the scheme incorporates triple glazing, air source heat pumps, high-performance insulation, and a resilient building fabric. Residents will benefit from excellent sustainable transport connectivity and secure cycle storage for 100 bikes.

This is the second Passivhaus development delivered by ECF and Muse in the region, demonstrating a sustained commitment to low-carbon housing and long-term affordability for residents.

Further plots are progressing through detailed design, including the former Farmer Norton car park site, which will accommodate just under 50 townhouses and approximately 200 additional apartments. The Old Adelphi plot is also moving forward, with demolition and enabling works underway to prepare new medium-rise apartment blocks totalling around 250 homes.

Across all plots, Hollis’s specialist input includes daylight and sunlight, party wall and access, which is helping to unlock the masterplan, de-risk the development process and support the creation of a resilient, energy-efficient new neighbourhood for Salford.

We acted as Project Manager, Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer for the refurbishment and extension of an existing six-storey office building in the heart of Wimbledon.

The works included the complete refurbishment of the vacant floor space, the extension of the upper tiered floors to increase lettable space, the formation of a new communal roof terrace, a new entrance foyer/lounge and reception, and the provision of new basement shower/cycle facilities.

The building itself is surrounded by retail and residential buildings; health and safety, logistics and noise/disruption were therefore of prime importance and required careful management. COVID-19 was a particular challenge as the virus struck as work was due to commence. To remedy this, we opted to run a PCSA for an 8 week period during lockdown, this ensured the Stage 4 design could be progressed and the supply chain explored.

We utilised our specialist in-house services and undertook a full measured survey of the site as well as undertaking a rights of light and daylight and sunlight assessment for our client.

We also provided a BREEAM consultancy services to ensure a Very Good rating for the building. A carbon reduction of 53% was achieved:

• 2010 EPC Carbon Intensity = 50.22 kg.CO2/m2 per year
• 2021 EPC Carbon Intensity = 23.67 kg.CO2/m2 per year

We provided neighbourly matters consultancy services for Tide Construction at 101 George Street, Croydon.

The development comprises a 44 storey and 38 storey tower scaling 135 metres, providing 546 build-to-rent homes and a range of amenities including winter gardens, an art gallery, an incubator hub for local businesses and onsite café. Furthermore, each tower contains gyms, club rooms and garden terraces. These towers stack up as the world’s tallest modular building.

We provide advice to John Lewis on their office and industrial properties.

This has included schedules of condition prior to occupation, technical reviews of proposed alterations, dilapidations assessments for provisioning purposes and end of term advice to deal with dilapidations liabilities at expiry.

We were instructed by our client Weybourne Group to project manage the sustainable office refurbishment of 2 Pear Tree Court located in the heart of Farringdon, London.

Adjacent to Farringdon Road, the building was constructed in 1884 for use as a warehouse and was later converted into offices. Through sensitive restoration, we have exposed many of the original features through the refurbishment into a fully occupied office space.

The works involved façade restoration, a new double height reception, private terrace areas, end of trip facilities and fully refurbished office accommodation. Throughout, we implemented many operational and embodied carbon reduction measures to minimise the environmental impact of this refurbishment.

The carbon reduction measures that were implemented included:

1. New LED lighting throughout, with daylight sensors and infra-red sensors
2. New LED lighting to corridors with PIR sensors
3. All lighting is dimmable
4. New VRF system throughout
5. New air sourced heat pump to provide hot water to the new ground floor showers
    

In addition, we installed LED lighting throughout the building, as well as cycle sheds to create positive social impact for future tenants. Our ESG efforts saw this building achieve an EPC A.

To maintain the history and character of the 19th century building, we undertook extensive technical detailing and took great care to expose original features, such as the fantastic timber soffits, whilst complying with Building Regulations. We were delighted to come to a workable solution and see the finished product as it is today.

2 Pear Tree Court has brought character to the City of London and is a project we remain proud of.