The Building Safety Regulator has granted Gateway 2 approval for The Hive, an eight-storey residential block in Northfleet, Gravesend, clearing the way for a full roof renewal to progress on site.
Potter Raper is acting as Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act for client Gravesham Borough Council, working alongside principal contractor Highview Group Ltd.
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A Roof at the End of Its Life
The Hive comprises 42 apartments owned and managed by Gravesham Borough Council. The block’s main roof had reached the end of its serviceable life, with a saturated warm roof system showing extensive water ingress, cracking and blistering across its bituminous membrane. The works comprise a full renewal of the roof covering using the Bauder Total Roof System, designed by Bauder Ltd and installed over the retained original asphalt layer, limiting the waste that a full strip-out would otherwise create. Thermal performance is being upgraded through new PIR insulation, and the existing metal parapet capping is being replaced with a mechanically fixed GRP trim system. New freestanding edge protection, designed by Safetyworks and Solutions, is being installed to provide safe collective fall protection for future maintenance access, with defined walkways guiding safe movement across the roof. The scheme also converts a disused door on the north elevation into a window, while the south elevation access door is being renewed to suit the raised roof build-up. Once the waterproofing and insulation works are complete, 56 freestanding 445W PV panels, designed by Carbon3, will be installed, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.
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Delivering Compliance Under the Building Safety Act
The Hive is classified as a Higher-Risk Building under the Building Safety Act 2022, meaning the project is being delivered through the Gateway 2 process. Potter Raper is acting as Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act, providing strategic advice to Gravesham Borough Council and preparing the Construction Control Plan and supporting compliance documentation submitted to the Building Safety Regulator. This gives the Council a clear, structured route through legislation that is still new to many public sector clients, helping to secure approval and reduce the risk of delay once works are on site.
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What happens next
With Gateway 2 approval now granted, site works can proceed under the sequencing set out in the Construction Control Plan, with careful management in place to protect residents below during the works. The PV installation will follow completion of the waterproofing and insulation phases. The scheme is expected to improve living conditions for residents by removing a failing roof system, while reduced heat loss and on-site renewable generation are expected to lower running costs for the Council and residents.
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Get in Touch
Projects like The Hive often raise Building Safety Act compliance questions early in the design process, from Gateway approvals to Golden Thread documentation. If your organisation needs support with Principal Designer duties or wider health, safety and environmental matters, our team can help. Find out more about our Health, Safety and Environmental Services or get in touch at info@potterraper.co.uk to discuss your project’s requirements.
