Tenants in a number of new Ramsey Town Commissioners' properties may have to be moved to temporary accommodation after concrete blocks used in the houses' external wall construction were found to be defective, causing cracking to the external render.
The 36 affected properties in Gladstone Avenue and Pairk Ollay – phase one of the Lezayre Estate redevelopment - have been subject to monitoring and investigation since early signs of cracking became evident during 2007.
Specialist advice sought by the Commission from the Building Research Establishment in collaboration with the design team and contractors, Auldyn Construction, has concluded that the defective blocks pose no structural danger. The cracks in the render do however seriously compromise the aesthetic appearance of the development and for this reason the Commission want a permanent solution. The Commissioners are therefore pressing the contractor and concrete block supplier to agree to the external block work being replaced and re-rendered, a process that regrettably will require tenants to be moved out of their homes while the extensive remedial work is carried out.
The cause of the defective in the blocks has been identified and later phases of the development are unaffected. Communication with tenants of the affected properties continues and every effort is being made to minimise disruption.
Findings from the investigation have revealed that this unforeseeable problem is predominantly attributable to defective materials and not to faulty workmanship. Ramsey Town Commissioners remain in discussion with the contractor and the design team and have held meetings with loss adjusters acting on behalf of the block manufacturer. It is therefore anticipated that the cost of remedial work will not fall to the Commission.
Further updates will be issued. Meantime all enquiries should be directed to Ramsey Town Commissioners' housing office, telephone 810100.