‘Major defects’ with Chichester primary school’s extension discovered

Back in 2017 a project was completed at Parklands in Durnford Close to construct a new one-form entry block with facilities for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

This allowed the primary school to expand to two forms of entry.

But since then a number of ‘significant defects’ have cropped up with the new building.

The original extension’s budget was £3.89million, but the bill to fix all the problems that have emerged is set to run to £701,000.

West Sussex County Council will look to be reimbursed by the original contractor.

The first ‘major’ defects emerged in April 2018, less than a year after the work was completed. These included wall strengthening, redecoration works, mechanical and electrical issues as well as unstable staircases.

Timeframes were agreed for remedial works to be completed by the contractor but, as the agreed actions were not met, it was decided that the county council should appoint another contractor.

Following a tender exercise a new contractor was appointed and the identified works were completed.

The council’s multi-disciplinary consultant (MDC) was then appointed to complete a compliance review of the building. This was completed in June 2019 and established a list of further defects which the county council is working to complete.

In October 2019 additional defects meant that an emergency scaffold was erected. Emergency surveys carried out by the MDC uncovered further defects with the fixing of panels and the structure behind.

The original contractor visited site in November 2019 and has, since that visit, engaged with WSCC regarding these defects and continues to do so.

It has put forward a proposal for a permanent solution for the cladding which has been reviewed by the MDC and their engineer and the scope of the works was then agreed. The elevations of all areas of the new extension will be stripped back to the main structure with new membrane, battens and cladding installed. These works started in the summer.

There is also an apparent issue with the internal ventilation and high temperatures encountered in the new block. It is proposed that digital environmental loggers remain in place for a period up to 24 months to enable further and continual assessment of this issue.

According to county council officers: “It is proposed to continue liaison with the contractor to ensure the required monitoring of and building works to the new block are carried out at Parklands Primary School.

“The county council will continue working towards a financial settlement with the contractor. The plan is to focus on recovery of these monies once all remedial works are completed at the school.”

Louise Goldsmith, county councillor for Chichester West, said: “Considerable research went into modular school buildings by WSCC a few years ago so what has happened with the Parklands School extension is deeply disappointing. There have been quite a few surveys and remedial work undertaken and it is to be hoped that finally all the outstanding issues will be correctly and fully addressed once and for all by early 2021

“But let’s not forget all the staff at Parklands School who throughout construction and all the remedial works over the last two and a half years, while minimising the impact on their pupils, have continued in their roles of nurturing and educating them. Their professionalism shines through and they have my thanks and appreciation.”