Princess Louise, Deptford

We were appointed by MIH Property Management Ltd under a two stage Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) to deliver the design and construction of comprehensive façade remediation and fire safety improvements to Princess Louise Building, an occupied six storey residential development in Deptford comprising 26 homes. Working alongside Frankham Consultancy Group and the wider consultant team, Higgins is developing the technical design, de risking delivery and preparing the project for construction under a JCT Design and Build contract.

Intrusive investigations and PAS 9980 assessments identified combustible external wall systems, including expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and deficiencies in cavity barrier provision. The remediation strategy has been developed to remove these fire risks through the replacement of combustible façade materials, installation of new A1 and A2 rated external wall systems, compliant cavity barriers and fire stopping, together with associated upgrades to balcony decking, aluminium cladding and other external building elements to deliver a fully compliant façade.

Delivering the scheme requires careful management of a complex occupied building within a highly constrained urban environment. The development remains fully occupied throughout the works and is surrounded by residential properties, commercial premises, a church and community facilities. Restricted access from the one way Hales Street, limited space for site establishment and the need to safely manage scaffold operations and façade replacement works require careful planning and close coordination to minimise disruption whilst maintaining resident safety.

During the PCSA, Higgins is working collaboratively with the client and consultant team to refine the Stage 4 design, engage with the specialist supply chain, validate compliance pathways and establish robust construction methodologies before progressing into Stage 5 delivery. Our digital quality assurance systems and Golden Thread processes provide complete traceability of design decisions, product approvals, installation records and compliance information from design through to handover.

Delivering the works within an occupied building requires proactive communication and a customer focused approach. Our dedicated Resident Liaison Officer works closely with residents to coordinate access, provide regular updates, undertake condition surveys and respond promptly to queries throughout the programme. Alongside the fire safety improvements, Higgins will deliver social value initiatives that create local employment, training opportunities and lasting community benefits for the wider Deptford area.