In a delegated decision, the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing approved the award of a £2,142,554 contract to General Demolition Ltd for enabling works at James Riley Point on the Carpenters Estate. This decision follows previous cabinet approvals and a structured tender process. The works are necessary to prepare the building for future construction as part of Phase 1 of the Carpenters masterplan.

James Riley Point Enabling Works Contract

The Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing approved the award of the James Riley Point Enabling Works Contract to General Demolition Ltd for £2,142,554. This decision was made following a tender process where five bids were evaluated based on a 40% quality, 50% price, and 10% social value weighting. General Demolition Ltd achieved the highest overall score.

The report [JRP Enabling Works Key Decision report 7 4 25][JRP Enabling Works Key Decision report 7 4 25] notes that:

Tenderer A (General Demolition) achieved the highest overall score and was therefore awarded the contract. This outcome reflects a strong combination of quality, social value, and competitive pricing, aligned with the project’s objectives and value-for-money requirements.

The enabling works are required to prepare the existing James Riley Point building for future construction works, as part of Phase 1 of the Carpenters masterplan. The Carpenters Estate is located in the Stratford ward.

The decision was delegated to the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing following a Cabinet meeting in July 2021. This meeting agreed to delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy and Housing Delivery, in consultation with the Lead member for Inclusive Economy and Housing Delivery and Climate Emergency and the Lead member for Housing Services, to appoint the successful contractor for the James Riley Point Enabling Works Contract up to a value of £4,000,000 excluding a 5% contingency sum.

A subsequent Cabinet meeting on 9 March 2021 agreed to Populo Living¹ entering into a contract for a package of enabling works to James Riley Point Tower on the Carpenters Estate up to the value of £4.0m, on behalf of the Council and in advance of the procurement of the main development works, subject to planning consent for Phase 1a and a positive Resident Ballot result and vacant possession of James Riley Point Tower.

Another Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2025, agreed to a revised scope and commencement of the James Riley Point Enabling Works, without full vacant possession and with an exclusion zone around the remaining leaseholder’s flat.

The report [JRP Enabling Works Key Decision report 7 4 25][JRP Enabling Works Key Decision report 7 4 25] explains that vacant possession of James Riley Point has not been achieved, but the use of an exclusion zone has been approved, allowing works to commence while providing safe access to the remaining leaseholder. Once vacant possession is achieved, the contract will be entered into with the contractor to carry out the residual works.

The delivery of homes will supply 132 new affordable rent homes and replace 4 leaseholder properties, kickstarting the development phases of the Carpenter’s Estate masterplan. The successful bidders will be required to pay the London Living Wage and demonstrate social investment in line with Towards a Better Newham and the Council’s Recovery and Reorientation Plan.

Alternative options considered and rejected included fully demolishing and rebuilding the tower block, which was opposed by residents, unlikely to deliver as many homes, and not a low carbon solution. Delaying the enabling works to be carried out by the main contractor was also considered but rejected due to potential programme delays and the need for early-stage existing condition survey information.