Foundations 3

The Completed Works carried out by Babergh District Council in South Suffolk

Detailed below are our comments to Babergh District Council highlighting our concerns regarding the substandard workmanship carried out at Sproughton Water Mill by Babergh District Council.

In our letter dated 20th June 1996 Before work started      

Below is the reply to us In Letter 28th June 1996. From Richard Ward, Senior Conservation Officer at Babergh District Council, who designed, supervised and approved these works, with Brian Morton of the Morton Partnership of Bethnal Green, London/Halesworth, Suffolk as Structural Engineer & Historical Buildings Specialists.

We accept that if piling is the only solution to the problem, the necessary tests have been done, by two professional structural engineers with expertise in old brick built historical buildings. All interested parties have been consulted and there views considered, the necessary listed building approval been granted, National Rivers Authority approval been granted, and the neighbours approval has been applied for and consent is given. Then and only then, can piling be considered.

If piling is necessary, we must remember we are dealing with a very important 200 year old listed building, built of soft red brick with soft lime & putty mortar, we have only ever advocated piling with a vibration free system, an continuous flight auger piling unit.

Under No Circumstances, should you ever use compaction piling with a 3/4 ton compaction hammer around the foundations of a very important listed building, commonsence tells you this will cause, and has caused major damage to this listed building, as Babergh District Council has done, see the evidence in our photographs

The Secretary of State has stated in the Section 54 appeal and reports that the Quality of the building works are, I Quote:- “Irrelevant” & “the standard of the work carried was reasonable” !!!!!!!!   What do you think ?

The Secretary of State has stated in the Section 54 appeal and reports that the Quality of the building works are, I Quote:- “Irrelevant” & “the standard of the work carried was reasonable” !!!!!!!!   What do you think ?

Quote from Babergh District Council: Letter 11th July 1997

Quote from Babergh District Council: Letter 14th Dec 1998

Quote from English Heritage: Letter 27th August 1997.

WWW.SPROUGHTONWATERMILL.COM

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