Residents of Magdalene Court in Glastonbury, a property managed by Sanctuary Supported Living, are set to return to their homes following the successful completion of vital structural repairs. The property, which provides supported living for individuals with learning disabilities, recently underwent extensive renovations to address long-standing safety concerns caused by its unique architectural features.

The issue stemmed from seven concrete planters set into the building’s external wall. While aesthetically pleasing, these planters created a cold bridge between the external and internal walls, compromising the building's structural integrity. Left unresolved, the cold bridge threatened both the safety and comfort of the building’s residents, requiring immediate action.

Over several months, the complex and delicate work involved removing each planter by taking down the external wall. To ensure long-term stability, the walls were insulated before being rebuilt to match the original brickwork, maintaining the historical and aesthetic character of the property. In addition, each of the impacted flats underwent full redecoration, giving them a fresh, updated appearance.

Scaffolding was erected up to the first floor to facilitate access for the repairs, and each planter was carefully broken out by hand. Below, the ceilings of the ground-floor flats were acro-propped to uphold structural integrity during the works. Alongside the external repairs, outdated windows were replaced with new UPVC models above the areas where the planters had once been, providing enhanced insulation and energy efficiency for residents.

The intricate project was carried out with the utmost consideration for residents’ needs, with Sanctuary Housing arranging temporary accommodation for each resident affected by the works while the repairs were underway.

A spokesperson for NKS Contracts said, “We are delighted to have completed the structural repairs at Magdalene Court, ensuring residents' safety and comfort. This was a major project, but one that was necessary to maintain the building's structural integrity. We would like to thank each resident for their patience and understanding while the work was completed, and we welcome them back to their homes.”

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