A Manchester housing company has been fined more than £8000 for flouting safety rules after carrying out building works.
Mr Bashir Ahmed who represented Project 464 Ltd in court, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching building regulations on its behalf and the company was fined £2000 per charge. They were also ordered to pay court costs of £2237.92 and a £15 victims of crime surcharge.
An inspection by City Council building control officers found that Project 464's property on Moss Lane East, Moss Side, had changed use from flats to a hostel for asylum seekers.
The company did not inform Manchester City Council before, during or after the work was completed to allow council surveyors the opportunity to carry out essential safety inspections.
When inspections were carried out, it became apparent that parts of the building did not comply with minimum building standards - as laid down in the building regulations.
Building regulations are the national standard to make sure every property complies with a basic level of health and safety - including fire safety.
Publicly used buildings, such as hostels, are often subject to more rigorous standards to ensure the safety of the building's users who are likely to be less informed about the property's layout and fire escape routes.
The company had a building regulations application to transform the premises rejected in 2007 due to worries over fire safety standards and a lack of information by the company.
Despite having their application rejected, Project 464 Ltd completed work on Moss Lane East in June 2010 and at the time of inspection, had accommodation for up to 18 asylum seekers at the property.
The company were informed of the contraventions of building regulations, and while some of the essential works were carried out, a substantial number remained incomplete.
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Building regulations are essential to make sure every building in the city complies with health and safety standards, and this company has put lives at risk by failing to inform Manchester Council of work going on at their premises.
"I am pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of the offence and I am relieved that we have been able to enforce changes at the property - and hopefully send a message to companies across Manchester."
(CD/GK)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
22/11/2024
GMI Construction Group has reached a major milestone ahead of schedule in the construction of a £15.7 million waste-to-energy facility in County Durham. The steel framework of the 75,000 sq ft high-temperature thermal treatment plant has been completed, marking significant progress in the ...
22/11/2024
Cure has secured planning permission for a large new residential development in Keynsham, located along Bath Road. The project will deliver 208 homes designed with energy efficiency, community living, and sustainability in mind. The development will include a mix of 168 houses and 40 flats, with ...
22/11/2024
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed the restoration of West Bromwich Town Hall and Library, revitalising the iconic Grade II listed building for the community. Delivered five weeks ahead of schedule, the project preserves the historic site's architectural heritage while ensuring its future ...
22/11/2024
British Steel has unveiled a state-of-the-art rail stocking facility at its headquarters in Scunthorpe, marking a £10-million investment to bolster the UK's rail infrastructure. The new hub is the largest of its kind in the country and is set to play a pivotal role in supporting the rail ...
22/11/2024
Manchester City Council is seeking developers to transform a surplus multi-storey car park on Church Street into a landmark project in the heart of the city's iconic Northern Quarter. Named St Paul's, after the historic church that once stood on the site, the 1.54-acre (0.62-hectare) location ...
22/11/2024
A £500,000 project to refurbish the gateway to Tadcaster is set to begin next month, aimed at enhancing the town's appeal to visitors and supporting local businesses. The improvements will focus on upgrading the bus station, public toilets, and adding visitor amenities to make the area more ...
22/11/2024
Wandsworth Council has approved plans for 50% affordable housing. The changes to the local plan would require developers to deliver 50% affordable housing on all new schemes, with a majority to be council housing. The Local Plan formalises how the council works with developers to create and ...
22/11/2024
Homebuilder Thakeham has handed over the first nine homes at its Holmhurst St Mary development near Hastings, East Sussex, to Southern Housing. Addressing the need for affordable homes in the local community, Holmhurst Gardens is a 100% affordable housing scheme comprising both homes for rent and ...
22/11/2024
Thames Water has announced the completion of a £9.7 million upgrade to Benson Sewage Treatment Works, boosting its capacity and improving environmental outcomes. The project, which began in June 2022, was finished at the end of 2023 and has increased the site's treatment capacity by 29%, from 58 ...
22/11/2024
Dean Clough, the award-winning, 22-acre mixed use commercial destination in Halifax, has agreed new deals to let regional office space to two global operators. Severn Glocon, a global leader in industrial valve engineering and manufacturing, has secured a 2,460 sq ft of office space in Crossley ...