Congratulations on your decision to build at Westford Bridge, we look forward to welcoming you to our lovely estate. As most of us know, building a house can be a lot of fun and to ensure the process progresses smoothly we would like to bring to your attention some important information that will assist you in your planning and subsequent building experience. As you know Westford Bridge is a residential estate, located in a private nature reserve, with a set of design criteria that is mandatory. We advise that you and your architect study the design manual as a starting point, so that you don’t waste time and money planning something that does not comply with the criteria. Should you require clarification on a related matter ; Click here to contact us: Contact Us.
Pay particular heed to the suggestion that final drawings should not be considered before submitting a “concept drawing” of the intended plan for scrutiny by the Project Architect, to ensure that all is on track before the final design work takes place. To assist in ensuring that the proper processes are followed throughout the project a checklist has been included (see PROJECT CHECKLIST), which, if followed, will ensure a smooth and efficient building experience, with minimal delay. A brief summary of the more important issues, particularly during the construction phase, are included in a handy brochure (see BUILDING GUIDELINES). Please note that a “Plan Scrutiny Fee” is payable at time of submission of final drawings, and that a “Green Deposit” is to be lodged before any construction activity can take place. Details of this are included in the relevant sections, as well as the document BUILDING CODE OF CONDUCT (“GREEN CONTRACT”). We wish you a happy building experience.
The Architectural Design Manual is issued not only to ensure adherence to the WBHOA’s established building regulations, but also to ensure conformity with the various authorities, who, in approving the development of Westford Bridge, which is in a “nature area”, made very material concessions.One of the more significant concessions was the granting of an increase in permissible house size from the standard 175m2 which is the rule for such an area.However such concessions come at a price which includes the need to minimize intrusiveness of the larger houses by restricting roof pitch heights, maximum allowable building platforms and conformity to strict design forms and standards, as well as guaranteeing the continued conservation of local flora and fauna.
In the light of the above and after considerable negotiation, a well thought out set of rules and building guidelines was approved as a condition of the establishment of the township by the authorities, which determines all development on the estate. When setting out to build on Westford Bridge it is essential that one takes time to study the Architectural Design Manual and the relevant procedures to adopt, even before drafting the initial “concept design”. By doing so one will save an enormous amount of time and frustration. All owners are encouraged to embrace the Architectural Design Manual in the spirit in which it is drafted, as, by doing so, we ensure the adherence to a set of standards that will optimise our mutual investment in both real estate and unique lifestyle. Please follow the procedures set out in clause 17 carefully and ensure that contact is made with the project architect at the earliest possible stage of your planning and design.
Click here to contact the project architect
Click here to view or download Design Manual: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANUAL
The function of the Project Architect (PA) is to ensure that all houses on the estate conform to the criteria detailed in the Architectural Design Manual. It is therefore essential that anyone intending to build at Westford Bridge who chooses to use the services of an architect other than the PA should ensure that their chosen architect makes contact with the PA prior to starting any work so as to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of the Architectural Design Manual. No plans will be considered by the HOA without the written approval of the PA.
There is a standard procedure to follow with regard to the submission of both concept sketches and final working drawings, as well as certain mandatory visits that must be made by the PA once construction has begun to verify conformity to the approved plans. (Please see “BUILDING GUIDELINES” & “CHECKLIST” for details).
The WBHOA will invoice the owner for a “plan scrutiny fee” at the rate prevailing at the time, which fee needs to be paid at time of submission of the drawings to the HOA for approval.
The BUILDING GUIDELINES document has been designed to highlight the more important issues relating to the planning and building process on the estate. It is presented in a simple, illustrated form which should be easy to read and understand by contractors and their staff and is a very basic summary of the more detailed documents, the Architectural Design Manual and the Green Contract, which, of course, are the documents that apply. It is intended as a quick-reference for those who are involved in the hands-on day-to-day building operations to ensure that they conform to the rules of the estate that relate to building protocol, deliveries, sub-contractors and the like.
Unfortunately some contractors continue to disregard the rules and the board has reluctantly had to implement a system of fines for transgressions, which impact directly on the owner, so it would pay to take time to read this bulletin and make one’s Architect and Contractor aware of it’s contents as well, so that unnecessary conflict in the future can be avoided. The rules of establishment have been developed for the protection of home owners and builders collective interests, so full co-operation is essential.
Owners planning to build are urged not to accept unrealistic time-scales from their builders, as these invariably result in frustration and disappointment; however it must be kept in mind that the maximum building period is 12 months, from start to finish. Click here to view and/or download the BUILDING GUIDELINES document.
Before the construction phase can begin a Green Contract needs to be signed and a deposit paid to the WBHOA. The purpose of the deposit is to provide for the rectification of any damage caused to the estate’s infrastructure during the building phase, including but not limited to, roads, verges, security gates, services etc. The amount is held in escrow by the WBHOA until all work on the project has been completed and the site has been inspected by the WBHOA, after which the deposit will be returned, less costs that have been incurred, if any.
As Westford Bridge is a residential estate, with due regard for resident home owners and their guests, it is necessary to lay down the rules pertaining to the behavior and modus operandi of all contractors and their personnel during the time that they are on-site or within the confines of the estate. It is mandatory that all conditions contained in the Green Contract are strictly complied with, failing which the owner could attract a fine(s), as identified therein.
Click here to view or download the Green Contract: GREENCONTRACT_2
To ensure that the building project is kept on-track a Project Checklist has been developed which identifies the various actions that need to be taken and the checkpoints that need to be monitored, from the initial design phase through the construction phase and eventually to final hand-over of the completed house.
By adhering to these planned checkpoints, many of which are mandatory, one is able to eliminate costly errors and time delays. The HOA representative responsible for all building matters will ensure that a checklist is handed to the owner on conclusion of the Green Contract and all site inspections conducted by him/her or the Project Architect will be recorded in the checklist as proof of compliance.