St Mary's Fields Colchester, Section 20 External Decoration of 18 Blocks of Flats

Overview

Anglia Decor was awarded a Section 20 contract to carry out a full programme of external redecoration across 18 blocks of flats at St Mary's Fields in Colchester, Essex. The project was managed on behalf of the residents by Red Rock Property Management. Each block required a combination of protective coatings, full preparation, and external decoration to woodwork and masonry.

Access Strategy

The site presented a range of access challenges. Several blocks stood five storeys high, requiring cherry pickers with a 25-metre reach. Other areas were only accessible across rough terrain, for which Anglia Decor hired tracked cherry pickers capable of navigating soft ground and uneven surfaces. One block required a cherry picker with an articulating boom arm to reach around a corner where a straight boom could not gain access. Scaffold towers and mobile access platforms were also deployed where cherry picker access was not practical.

Prior-to-Paint Repairs

During the preparation stage, our decorators identified all areas of timber decay and defective substrates. Each repair was photographed and costed separately for approval by Red Rock Property Management before work proceeded. All repairs were carried out using the RepairCare system, a two-part resin providing a 10-year warranty on repaired areas. This system restores structural integrity to rotten timber without the need for full replacement, offering a cost-effective and long-lasting solution.

Decoration Specification

The project was specified using the Dulux Weathershield system throughout. Woodwork received a water-based primer followed by an undercoat to bring all primed areas forward, then a solid Weathershield undercoat and a full gloss finish coat. All masonry surfaces were decorated using Dulux Weathershield masonry paint. This system provides an expected redecoration cycle of approximately eight years across all elevations.

Results

Anglia Decor completed the project on time and to a high standard. The property managers overseeing the project provided positive feedback on both the quality of the finish and the professionalism of the team throughout the programme of works.