Conversion of Ross House “was total shit” and “sub standard” yet Council paid £1.8 million
shepwayvox
Updated 4th Nov 10:35
Cllr Tim Prater has made candid public statements about the conversion of Ross House, Ross Way into 16 flats, owned by the Council since April 2018, and managed by East Kent Housing. In a Facebook post Cllr Prater has stated the conversion undertaken by Mullberry Homes “was total shit” and a “sub standard conversion” to our public face.
We also heard from the man who sold the building to the Council, Mr Oliver Davis (pictured). Mr Davis company at that time was Mullberry Tree Holdings Ltd. Mr Davis has relinquished control of Mullberry Tree and it has been taken over by Oliver Davis Group Ltd, which is owned by Mr Davis. This is the third company name Mr Davis has had, according to companies house.
In a previous comment to us about Ross House, he said in June 2018
“Ross House was purchased by us as a disused and near derelict office building that needed significant investment before it could be utilised for any use. Upon purchase we practically rebuilt the building including replacing the entire roof, and converting the space from completely open place office space to form 16 new apartments. This also included a completely new power supply run from military Way and new mains water supply to cope with 16 apartments. This included building over 125 walls and installing 117 new UPVC windows, We have also installed a large tarmac parking area and also a rear garden area to finish.
This significant level of works took nearly 8 months with a team of over 20 staff. And in the end we sold the properties to the council for significantly under open market value which is estimated to be in excess of £2.1m.”
Well, Mr Davis might you explain how your company refurb of Ross House “was total shit” and “sub standard” after eight months of significant levels of work? Will you put right what is wrong with the building, for free? After all you have received £1.8 million of public money.
A fortnight ago Tim meet with Deborah Upton Chief Exec of East Kent Housing and Cllr Godfrey Cabinet Member for Housing, to show them the effects of the “total shit” and “sub standard conversion” was having on tenants lives. Tenants had as we understand been in contact with East Kent Housing, but they done nothing until Cllr Prater and Cllr Fuller’s intervention. Further evidence if it was needed that EKH are not fit for purpose.
All four councils who own EKH have all now agreed to pull out of EKH “in principle”, and consultation letters about bringing it back in house have been landing on tenants doormats since the 21st Oct.
The Council will hold four drop in events across our district for tenants in Nov and Dec. We urge all tenants to get along and make your voice heard. You have a right to live in safe and decent homes
Once again we ask Mr Davis if his company will undertake the work to correct the “sub standard conversion” which “was total shit”, for free?
We note a Mr David Lewis (pictured below) formerly of Circle Housing, has arrived at East Kent Housing. According to his Linkedin page, he has two jobs. One as Interim Director of Property Services at East Kent Housing. The other as Interim Director of Asset Strategy at Westminster City Council.
We note there was a brief window where Mr Lewis and Ms Deborah Josephine Upton Chief Exec of EKH, worked together at Circle Housing, where fraud and overcharging was discovered. Job’s for the boys Josephine?
We congratulate Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem) and Cllr Gary Fuller (Lib Dem) for taking the time to engage and participate with their constituents and assist in changing their lives for the better.
Finally, we cannot find any Council key decision notice, or decision by full Council, as per the constitution Article 12.3.2(a)(b) and (c), to purchase Ross House. If anyone can lay their hands on it do pop it over via email please.
