Penthouse Development

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ Page

On this page you will find our answers to the most common questions about the penthouse build that we have been asked. We’ll add to this list as we receive questions, however, if there are questions that you feel have not been answered, email us with your question at: directors@chiswickvillagew4.co.uk

Penthouse Development - Our Lawyers’ View

In the opinion of CVRL’s legal representation, the Air Space Leases which the CVRL Board approved in 1998 are unusually favourable to the Developer.  They do not contain many of the protective provisions that one would expect to see in favour of CVRL as landlord or the tenants of the Village, and give the developer a wide discretion to conduct the redevelopment.

To try and improve CVRL’s and the residents’ position, the Board entered into a Supplemental Letter of Agreement in 2018.  While this letter does not contain all the provisions that the Board would like, it has improved CVRL’s position and was the best option available at that time.  There is of course now an opportunity – if terms can be agreed with the Developer and/or the Tenant – to bolster it further.

Planning, Building Control & Legal

  • Subject to us receiving responses to certain preliminary enquiries, it seems that the Building Safety Act regime will not apply to initial redevelopment as it was sufficiently commenced before the Act came into force. We will update the position definitively once we have received replies from the developer’s team.

    Updates to this are the sole responsibility of the developer.

  • An intrusive survey was carried out by the developer which confirms that the buildings can support the penthouses.

    We have not received this.

  • We are advised by Hollis International (the Developers) that the building works as stated are not notifiable under the Part Wall etc  1996  and as such do not to require Party Wall Agreements.  This may change in the future depending on how the works are carried.  Scaffold licences - A scaffolding plan has been received from the developer and is being reviewed by your professional team. 

  • The legal representative for CVRL is Winckworth Sherwood.  The 2018 agreement is the best protections that can be obtained given the latitude accorded to the developer in the roof top lease.

  • The build ceases and CVRL will have to pay for the way forward. The roof top lease provides no protection for this eventuality.

  • These are provided individually by the contractors for each stage of the penthouse build and will vary depending on each section of the structure.

Construction Programme & Methods

  • All the documentation provided by the developer to CVRL is available on our website at https://www.chiswickvillagew4.co.uk/penthouses.

  • The hours are fixed by the planning permission and do not allow for works on weekends or bank holidays.  The official working hours are 8am – 6pm.

  • We understand that some materials will be craned in and others will use a lift that is to be constructed at the end of each block.  No detailed plans have yet been delivered by the developer.

  • We understand that some materials will be craned in and others will use a lift that is to be constructed at the end of each block.  No detailed plans have yet been delivered by the developer.

  • This is yet to be negotiated.

Site Management & Safety

  • No such information has been provided by the developer but we will ask the question.

  • This is the developer’s responsibility.

  • No such information has been provided by the developer but we will ask the question.

  • The developer.

  • Yes, we expect this to be so.

Resident Impact & Compensation

  • No such information has been provided by the developer, and such compensation is unlikely to be available.

  • No such information has been provided by the developer but we will ask the question .

  • Damage should be reported to both the Chiswick Village Estate Manager and the London Penthouse Site Manager.

  • No such information has been provided by the developer but we will ask the question.

Financial Implications

  • There should be no cost increases for leaseholders. In fact the developer promises a decrease in the service charge as the penthouse occupants will be paying into the service charge. 

    Please note however that Michael Richards and Co will need to conduct a wholesale review of the estate wide service charge to reflect the position once the new apartments are built so no definitive answers can be given at this time. 

  • There is a legal formula to calculate the service charge to protect existing leaseholders.

    As mentioned above however Michael Richards and Co will need to conduct a wholesale review of the estate wide service charge to reflect the position once the new apartments are built so no definitive answers can be given at this time.

  • To be confirmed 

  • Nothing is yet confirmed only promised.

Fire Safety

  • This is a Local Authority and London Fire Brigade responsibility.

  • Fire doors needed to be replaced as demanded by the London Fire Brigade.  The roof top lease demands that CVRL do not unduly withhold permissions.

  • No such information has been provided by the developer, but we are asking the question.

  • This is new law and the details are as yet uncertain.

Communications and Transparency

  • The developer chose not to inform CVRL of the works it was carrying out or the date on which they would start.

  • That is the responsibility of the developer but they have promised to improve communication going forward and have e.g. set up the WhatsApp Group. We’ve also made the on site notice boards available to them.

  • The board of CVRL has always welcomed and invited such expertise to come forward. 

  • What was agreed with the developers is the Roof Top Lease and the 2018 agreement both of which are available, and have been for some time, on our website at: https://www.chiswickvillagew4.co.uk/penthouses. 

Parking, Access and Amenities

  • No spaces should be lost and the developer has promised two Zip Car spaces.

  • This will be covered in the service charge to be calculated for the penthouses.

  • This is unclear at the moment.

  • This facility will be available for all residents of Chiswick Village.