Scott Harbour is one of Cardiff’s flagship Build to Rent developments, transforming a former office building overlooking Cardiff Bay into high-quality, energy-efficient homes that support the city’s growing demand for professionally managed rental accommodation. Owned by Cardiff Council and delivered by Willmac.
The conversion of the former Scott Harbour office block into 78 affordable council homes was executed in two strategic handovers together with commercial tenancies, creating a vibrant mixed-use destination that contributes to the continued regeneration of Cardiff Bay.
Dewick & Associates was engaged to deliver a comprehensive suite of construction documentation, including the Building Handover Manual, Mechanical Operations & Maintenance Manual, Electrical Operations & Maintenance Manual, Apartment User Guides, CIBSE TM31 Building Logbook, and Health & Safety File. Together, these deliverables provide Cardiff Council, facilities managers and residents with the information required to safely operate, maintain and manage the building throughout its lifecycle.
By Liana Ossai
Credit: Image generated by Gemini AI, 2026. Royalty free. Conceptual image based on the project location.
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Cardiff Council is the local authority responsible for delivering housing, infrastructure and regeneration projects that support the Welsh capital’s long-term economic and social growth. Through its Build to Rent programme, the Council is investing in high-quality residential developments that increase housing supply while revitalising existing buildings and supporting sustainable city living.
As a long-term asset owner, Cardiff Council requires comprehensive building information that enables facilities managers to operate, maintain and protect its property portfolio while meeting legislative obligations and ensuring residents receive safe, well-maintained accommodation. The project occurred in two phases:-
Phase 1 (July 2025):concluded with the handover of 33 completed apartments to Cardiff Council. Families and tenants on the social housing waiting list immediately occupied these initial units.
Phase 2 (February 2026): The final phase wrapped up in 2026, delivering the remaining 45 modern apartments.
Dewick & Associates delivered a coordinated suite of documentation that supported every stage of the building handover, ensuring facilities managers, residents and the building owner each received information tailored to their operational requirements.
The project was managed by a dedicated Client Coordinator, who worked closely with Willmac and project subcontractors to coordinate documentation submissions, monitor progress and maintain programme certainty throughout the handover process.
Using nucleus the D&A online portal, Dewick & Associates’ cloud-based documentation management platform, technical information was collected, reviewed and tracked from multiple contractors and suppliers in a single centralised environment. This streamlined document control, improved collaboration across the project team and provided complete visibility of outstanding deliverables before Practical Completion.
Our experienced Technical Writers then reviewed, quality assured and structured the documentation into a comprehensive suite of project deliverables.
The Building Handover Manual brought together project contacts, emergency procedures, statutory certificates, as-installed drawings, warranties, manufacturer literature and preventative maintenance schedules, providing Cardiff Council with a complete operational record of the development.
The Mechanical and Electrical Operations & Maintenance Manuals documented the installed building services, commissioning information, operating procedures, fault-finding guidance, maintenance schedules and statutory testing requirements, enabling facilities teams to safely manage critical building systems throughout their operational life.
To support efficient energy management, Dewick & Associates also produced the CIBSE TM31 Building Logbook, providing operational information, maintenance guidance and building performance data that assists facilities managers in optimising building performance and meeting energy management objectives.
The Health & Safety File, prepared in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, captured residual design risks, as-installed information and essential safety documentation to support future maintenance, refurbishment and alteration works.
Recognising that residents also play an important role in maintaining building performance, Dewick & Associates developed Apartment User Guides that provide occupants with clear instructions for operating apartment systems, understanding safety features, reporting defects and caring for fixtures and finishes. This supports a smoother transition into occupation while helping preserve building assets and manufacturer warranties.
Together, these deliverables provide Cardiff Council with a complete Golden Thread of information that supports compliant building management, effective maintenance planning and informed decision-making throughout the life of the asset.
The completed documentation package provides Cardiff Council with a comprehensive set of operational resources that supports every stage of the building’s lifecycle.
Facilities management teams can quickly access maintenance schedules, compliance documentation, operating procedures and technical information through the Building Handover Manual, Mechanical and Electrical Operations & Maintenance Manuals, CIBSE TM31 Building Logbook and Health & Safety File. At the same time, Apartment User Guides help residents confidently operate their homes while promoting safe use and reducing unnecessary maintenance enquiries.
By delivering accurate, quality-assured documentation across multiple disciplines, Dewick & Associates supported a smooth transition from construction to occupation while helping Cardiff Council protect its investment in one of Cardiff’s landmark Build to Rent developments.
The content in this case study has been informed by project documentation and client communication provided to Dewick & Associates during and following the completion of the project. Where external sources have contributed to our understanding of relevant standards or industry practice, these are listed below.
Image generated by Gemini AI, 2026. Royalty free. Conceptual image based on the project location.
Note: Some content in this case study draws on a combination of sources rather than direct quotation. Where this is the case, contributing sources are acknowledged above rather than cited inline.
Direct access to a dedicated Client Coordinator who oversees the process and ensures deadlines are met.
Compliant with Building Regulations 2010 to provide a live high-level summary of a building’s services for efficient operation, including technical authoring of:
Technical authoring and compilation of a CDM Reg 2015 compliant H&S Files to detail:
Technical authoring of D&A format O&M Manuals enabling efficient plant operation and effective maintenance for equipment longevity, including:
Compliant with Building Regulations 2010, compilation of fire safety documentation to minimise fire spread, maintenance of safety systems and execute safe evacuation, including:
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