Frequently Asked Questions

We appreciate that you may have a number of questions about the wider Your New Town Hall project, as well as more site-specific queries connected to the current construction works on the Olive Morris House site (and Covid-19). We have therefore sought to address both of these within this FAQ page.

Olive Morris House construction

We know that local residents have a great number of questions relating to the construction works at Olive Morris House but also about the impact of Covid-19 on working practices. We have sought to answer some of these questions in the form of an FAQ document.

As the works progress and the questions evolve, we will seek to issue updated editions of the FAQs document as and when new queries come to us. Please find below the latest edition of this document.

DOWNLOAD THIRD EDITION FAQs

You can still refer to the below documents which are the previous editions of these FAQs in response to queries at the time of issue.

DOWNLOAD FIRST EDITION FAQs DOWNLOAD SECOND EDITION FAQs

If you have any further questions when you have had a chance to view the FAQs, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team – contact details are provided at the bottom of this page.

Who is funding the YNTH project?

Your New Town Hall will pay for itself through the redevelopment of old office buildings (that are too expensive to run) into much needed new homes for the borough.

What is Muse’s role?

muse-logoFollowing a rigorous design competition, Lambeth chose Muse Developments Ltd as its development partner.
Muse Developments is one of the country’s leading names in mixed-use development and urban regeneration, with regional operations in Leeds, Manchester, London, and Glasgow. Muse is part of Morgan Sindall Group plc, a leading UK construction and regeneration group.

Who are the contractors on the project?

There have been different contractors on the various elements of the Your New Town Hall project, all chosen by Muse Developments and Lambeth Council on the basis of their track record for professionalism, health and safety and programme delivery.

The contractor appointed to carry out the main construction works of Olive Morris House is McAleer & Rushe, overseen by Muse Developments.

All main contractors must be part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and comply with the highest regulations for site safety.

What is the Considerate Constructors Scheme?

Considerate Constructors Scheme logoThe Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is a national initiative set up by the construction industry. Sites and companies that register with the scheme are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements. The scheme focuses on any area of construction activity that may have a direct or indirect impact on the image of the industry as a whole.

 

Complaints procedure

1. Brixton Hill Development

The Brixton Hill Development is being developed by Muse Developments Limited as part of a development agreement between London Borough of Lambeth and Muse Developments. 

2. Resident Engagement

Muse Developments have appointed McAleer & Rushe as the main contractor for the construction of this development. They have a dedicated Community Engagement Manager who provides regular project updates to the residents. For any queries, concerns, comments, and all matters related to the site development or construction works, the first point of contact is Kelly Southion, Community Engagement Manager omh.ce@mcaleer-rushe.co.uk 

3. Brixton Neighbourhood Construction Forum (BNCF)

The BNCF is led by Muse developments and their contractors as part their obligation within the planning permission. Muse Developments and its contractors regularly liaise with the local community, key stakeholders and other local development project teams are fully informed of what is happening and when. BNCF is a platform for all affected parties to discuss concerns, share information and address issues.

Minutes from the BNCF are circulated and issues raised in each group are reported and published on the development website: https://yournewtownhall.org/community-engagement/

Lambeth’s Head of Capital Programmes/Assistant Director will regularly attend the BNCF on behalf of London Borough of Lambeth. 

4. Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) is a working document that defines how a site will mitigate its potential impacts through construction on the environment and local community – but there is other legislation, such as the Control of Pollution Act 1974, that must also be complied with. 

Complaints in relation to the CEMP should be made firstly to the Muse Community engagement manager so that the developer (Muse Developments) and their contractor 

McAleer & Rushe (MARC) can address them immediately. London Borough of Lambeth has also appointed an independent CEMP monitoring Surveyor who will be monitoring the CEMP and submit reports to Lambeth. These reports will be shared on the development website: https://yournewtownhall.org/community-engagement/ 

5. Updates and escalation of complaints

  • Residents receive regular updates and newsletters from the developer (Muse Developments) and their contractor (MARC). 
  • All matters related to the site development or construction works, the first point of contact is Kelly Southion, Community Engagement Manager omh.ce@mcaleer-rushe.co.uk
  • In Kelly’s absence, MARC’s project manager, Stephen McGinty should be contacted Email: stephen.mcginty@mcaleer-rushe.co.uk
  • If residents are not satisfied with the response from the contractor or need to contact Muse Developments, they can contact Doug Finlay (MUSE’s Development Director) Email: Doug.Finlay@musedevelopments.com
  • Matters may also be discussed at BNCF, which is a platform for all affected parties to discuss concerns, share information and address issues. The information is on the website: https://yournewtownhall.org/community-engagement/
  • Any concerns which relate specifically to out of hours construction noise/activities and/or excessive noise levels can be reported to our Public Protection Team using the following link: What you need to know | Lambeth Council
  • Any other alleged breaches of planning control, including allegations of non-compliance with the CEMP, can be reported to our Planning Enforcement Team using the following link: Report the breaking of planning rules (breach of planning control) | Lambeth Council.
  • If residents are not satisfied with the response directly from the contractor or through Brixton Neighbourhood Construction Forum (BNCF), the project related queries can be escalated to Preeti Chatwal Kauffman, Lambeth’s Head of Capital Programme, Email: PChatwalKauffman@lambeth.gov.uk) or Helen Wordsworth, Assistant Director (Buildings and Community Infrastructure) Email: hwordsworth1@lambeth.gov.uk
  • Please see link to Lambeth’s complaint policy and contact details:

https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/about-council/contact-us/make-complaint/our-complaints-policy

How can I get in contact with the project team?

Please contact us either by email, telephone or post using the details at the bottom of this page.