By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Developers have submitted an environmental plan as part of a project to re-clad a prominent Mansfield apartment building following changes prompted by the Grenfell Tower disaster.
The St Crispin’s Court building, off Stockwell Gate, was found to have unsafe, flammable cladding following investigations in the wake of the London tragedy.
Changing fire safety regulations following the June 2017 disaster meant specific building regulation criteria needed to be met for highrise residential blocks.
And planning documents submitted to Mansfield District Council in 2020 revealed “various combustible materials” were used in the construction of the building.
This included expanded polystyrene insulation and composite, insulated external cladding panels, which did not meet up-to-date regulations.
It led to an application forre-cladding works being approved by the authority in March 2021.
These works will see the existing materials on the 78-home building replaced with new and inflammable cladding.
No internal remodelling will take place and the works will lead to new materials installed on the Radford Street, Dallas Street, Stockwell Gate and courtyard sides of the building.
Initial plans, submitted by consultant FRC, confirmed all new materials will comply with new Euroclass Combustibility ratings.
In papers, approved by the council two years ago, FRC said: “The external walls at St Crispin’s Court, Mansfield, have been constructed using various combustible materials.
“The project will see the replacement of the existing combustible materials used to form the external facade of the building with non-combustible materials (Euroclass A2 or better).”
It added: “The proposed remediation will bring the development in line with [building regulation updates] … for fire safety.
“The materials used will be of a high quality and built to a high standard as required by the applicable regulations and guidance.”
Now contractor Intelligent FS has lodged plans to the authority outlining how it will conduct the works and ensure the project is environmentally sustainable.
Papers validated by the council on Friday (April 21) say the applicant will be in charge of the entire project.
If approved by the authority, the works would include scaffolding being erected along the building.
Plumbing and electrical works would also take place alongside composite re-cladding and brick cladding.
The contractor adds it will also install silencers to reduce noise emissions, while tools will also be fitted with acoustic covers for the same purpose.
Works would take place between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and potentially on weekends if “arranged by request”.
Mansfield District Council’s planning department will assess the plans and a decision on the environmental plan is due at a later date.
If approved, it means there-cladding works would take a step forward.
