Latest news with #structuralintegrity
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warwick Council announces removal of Victorian oak tree from Royal Leamington Spa gardens
A historic oak tree in Warwickshire will be removed due to rotting affecting its structural Holm Oak Tree at Jephson Gardens in Royal Leamington Spa will be cut down on District Council said it made the decision with "great sadness", but the tree did not respond to pollarding works carried out to try and prolong its life.A statement said basal decay was found in the tree and it needed to be removed to ensure the safety of people using the park. The tree, shortlisted for Tree of the Year in 2023, is located between the lake and bedding area along the main path through Jephson its distinctive twisted branches, it was one of the original trees to be planted when the land and walks along the River Leam were developed into formal gardens during the Will Roberts said that while the decision is sad, the safety of the public must come first. He said: "I am grateful to the Green Spaces team and colleagues from Warwickshire County Council for the work they do to preserve and maintain our wonderful collection of mature trees, which are such an asset to our town."The area around the tree will be cordoned off while the works take place and the seating around the tree will be council said a replacement tree will be planted nearby. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Furious residents of luxury cliffside apartments left 'scared their homes could collapse' amid newbuild nightmare
Families living in a cluster of luxury cliffside apartments have been left 'scared their homes could collapse' amid an ongoing newbuild nightmare. Furious residents of the Cliff Edge development in Newquay, Cornwall were marketed 'high-end' coastal living spaces, offering a 'special and rare' opportunity. They were quickly snapped up by owners seduced by the stunning seafront location. But those living in the plush properties say conditions have got so bad that the dream has turned into a nightmare, with fears spiralling over its structural integrity and a basement that floods every time it rains. Residents have spent three years battling issues with the apartments, built by developer Stephens & Stephens - and concerns remain over their homes potentially collapsing. Problems have got so severe, according to owners, that a website has now been set up to warn any potential buyers against investing in Cliff Edge or Cliff Edge 2, which is currently under construction. On the site, named residents write: 'The Leaseholders of Cliff Edge feel it is their moral duty to provide prospective buyers and investors with the full information and their experiences so they are able to make an informed decision.' The page contains photographs of the rain-damaged basement and features a number of testimonies from owners of the apartments. One said: 'I am actually scared the building won't be safe in the long term. I do worry it will collapse.' Another claimed the development is not 'waterproof' and floods are 'routine in the basement, the electrical room and in some apartments', while the stairwells and balcony railings are 'already suffering from corrosion'. Stephens & Stephens consists of husband and wife Paul and Helen Stephenson. SBP crisis management, which handles press relations for the developer, said the company has already been in touch with Cliff Edge's Residents Action Group, adding 'the ball is very much in their court'. A local survey of residents living in the building has been carried out, with further comments posted to on problems they have been facing. One said: 'Two years after buying, many residents have extensive lists of outstanding issues that have yet to be addressed. 'These include missing breakfast bars, cracked showers, significant roof leaks, malfunctioning appliances, balcony rails that have slipped down and defective flooring.' Another added: 'The non stop leaks in the basement look like they have caused serious damage and Stephens and Stephens don't care. I have been lied to over and over and over again.' The buildings were quickly snapped up by owners seduced by the stunning seafront location Other complaints pointed out the 'poor quality of fixtures and fittings', the 'poor infrastructure, as well as the developers' alleged 'failure to acknowledge or deal with defects' to the buildings. One angry owner said: 'There have been leaks throughout the building since day one that the developers have attempted to cover up and play down. 'The apartment isn't what we bought based on the plans we bought from.' Another resident claimed the building was 'not complying with fire and building regulations' and described it as having 'major structural and waterproofing defects'. One infuriated home-owner added: 'On the surface, Stephens & Stephens spend a lot of effort on their brand and design, which we completely fell in love with. 'But sadly it's a facade for a company that simply lacks care, takes shortcuts and leaves a trail of destruction.' And on the website, one resident said: 'Do not make this mistake as you will end up with unsafe and worthless property. 'This decision will make your life a misery and you will have a lot of sleepless nights.' Sam Beilin from SBP crisis management added: 'There are works that need to be dealt with within the development some of which are the developer's responsibility and some of which fall to ongoing estate management. 'We recently exchanged correspondence with the Residents Action Group and to which we await a response. 'The reality here is that the managing agents are unable to do much because the residents have not paid their service charges which includes building insurance and warranty fees. 'We are not building surveyors so we cannot comment on the works about which the residents complain. 'However, the complaint over apartment design is a contractual matter in respect of which they need to take legal advice. 'Additionally, there is nothing that we can do about the price they paid, as you know property prices go up and down and they would have had the chance to inspect and survey their apartments to confirm quality, before they completed their purchase.'
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Public needs answers on alleged corruption at Kowloon flats site
The structural integrity of major housing projects is paramount to public safety and confidence in construction standards. Revelations of defects are thankfully rare in Hong Kong. When they arise they warrant full public scrutiny and accountability. Advertisement A case in point is a bribery scandal at a CK Asset Holdings' residential project at Kwun Tong uncovered by the city's graft-buster. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) alleges site supervisors accepted offers, including red packets and meals and entertainment, from a subcontractor seeking lenient oversight of subpar construction practices, in an attempt to maximise profits. Suspected offences range from bribery and accepting bribes, to conspiracy to defraud and using false documents. The scale of the alleged graft seems shocking, as does an apparent lack of oversight. Investigations revealed that steel reinforcement bars in concrete in all six buildings were either thinner than required, missing, displaced or loosely arranged. Advertisement Buildings Department inspectors also found that the number of main reinforcement bars in the structural components was, on average, 10 per cent below specifications, with deviations including spacing, thickness and positioning. But department officials said the overall structural integrity of the six buildings containing nearly 3,000 flats, including 1,000 starter homes, did not present an immediate danger, as the surrounding concrete wall design could compensate for the load-bearing requirements.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Report identifies 'significant structural concerns' at Tasmanian Pioneer Dam, recommends decommissioning
A dam in north-east Tasmania has "significant structural concerns" and should be decommissioned, a report has found. Neighbouring the small township of Pioneer, the Pioneer Dam is believed to have been built nearly a century ago by the Endurance Tin Mining Company, with "limited records of its construction". A report released in April, commissioned by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, found the structural condition of the disused dam was "critically compromised". It said recent severe weather events had caused trees to fall and create holes in the dam wall, and "unauthorised modifications" including the removal of culvert pipes had further compromised the dam's structural integrity. Furthermore, it said the top of the dam wall had been used as "unauthorised access to an adjacent campground". The report recommended the water levels be lowered immediately, and the dam decommissioned, given "indicators of imminent instability". "The most risk averse and responsible course of action is to implement an immediate reservoir drawdown, followed by a staged decommissioning plan, unless a clear operational need justifies comprehensive rehabilitation works," Max Moller, of Hobart-based Flussig Engineers, stated in the report. The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) said in the short term, it had decided to lower the water level once it receives engineering advice — expected in early July — advising it how to do so. PWS closed the dam and nearby Pioneer Lake, which is popular for camping and fishing, following a site visit by the engineering company in December. Alana Keygan lives in Pioneer with her family. "I used to go kayaking on the lake on a daily basis, take the kids down there. It's just a really beautiful spot to be," she said. "It's completely silent, you can hear the birds chirping and you're just surrounded by so much nature and beauty." But she hasn't been since it was closed to the public, and is concerned about a potential dam breach. The Dorset council is facilitating a community meeting between PWS and residents on Monday to discuss the situation. Dorset Mayor Rhys Beattie said Flussig Engineers would deliver a briefing on their findings. "Parks and Wildlife are taking the required steps to assure safety," she said. Ms Keygan will be attending and advocating for an emergency plan in the event of a breach, and the installation of floodwater warning signs for the roads. "And what systems are in place for the community to get the word out quickly to each other?" she said. It's something another Pioneer local, Jenny Bellinger, would also like to see. "I'm quite concerned on the safety aspect," she said. "The kids in the town swim in the river because they couldn't go to the lake this year. "Are kids going to notice that the water is rising quickly? I don't know. "We need probably a siren there to let everyone know if the dam wall does break." As part of the report, the engineers undertook modelling to see what would happen if the dam wall breached. The modelling assumed the weather on the day of the breach was fair, with no rain. While it predicted no residential or commercial buildings would be inundated, the floodwaters would likely cut off critical access routes and isolate communities. Ms Bellinger wants more modelling done to see what would happen during rainy conditions. "I think it needs to be updated to what would happen in a one-in-20-year event or a one-in-50-year event," she said. The report said further assessments may be required to consider potential loss of life, given Pioneer Lake's use as a recreational camping and fishing site.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clearwater condo residents grab belongings Saturday amid concerns over building's structural integrity
The Brief Clearwater condo residents briefly returned to their building to grab belongings Saturday, as work to address concerns about the building's structural integrity continues. On Tuesday,first responders urgently evacuated 60 residents from the 12-story South Beach III condo building after construction crews noticed one of the concrete support columns had large cracks in it. Residents say they signed up for 15-minute time slots between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on either Saturday or Sunday and were escorted into the building. CLEARWATER, Fla. - Clearwater condo residents briefly returned to their building to grab belongings Saturday, as work to address concerns about the building's structural integrity continue. On Tuesday,first responders urgently evacuated 60 residents from the 12-story South Beach III condo building after construction crews noticed one of the concrete support columns had large cracks in it. PREVIOUS: Evacuations ordered at Clearwater high-rise after structural crack discovered What they're saying "Yeah, we got a knock at the door -- I mean, a loud bang -- and went to the door and there were two firemen fully dressed, and they said, you have to get out right now," resident Scott May told FOX 13 Saturday. Four days after that knock on his door, May returned to his condo building Saturday. He showed FOX 13 the email that condo management sent Friday, which said engineers authorized "safe, emergency access" to the building, allowing residents "a very limited, one-time access to their units." Residents, including May, said they signed up for 15-minute time slots between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on either Saturday or Sunday and were escorted into the building. "I've got files, all kinds. Toothbrush, toothpaste, everything. Clothes, just to have some fresh clothes, and everything helps," May said of the items he planned to grab. "So yeah, that's a relief." According to that Friday email, condo management wrote, "We are continuing to work with officials on safe, longer-term re-entry, which is expected Tuesday, provided progress remains on schedule." Additionally, they hired an "outside structural engineer to conduct a peer review as an added safety measure." "That would be fantastic," May said of a potential Tuesday return. "I probably think the only thing is, maybe that first night might be a little scary…You just have that in the back of your mind to make sure that we're safe." PREVIOUS: Clearwater condo residents could be displaced for days after evacuations ordered According to an email sent to residents on Wednesday, the engineering company, Karins Engineering, is working with the City of Clearwater and the construction contractor Suncoast Restoration and Waterproofing to stabilize the building. Big picture view The building's milestone inspection from last year, which was just given to the city on Wednesday, said Karins Engineering did not find anything that would compromise the safety of the building for its intended use and occupancy. A state law put into place after the Surfside condo collapse in 2021 said aging condo buildings must have structural inspections every 10 years. According to official reports, the condo in Clearwater was built in 1978. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
