Shirley Waldron, a chartered architect who pivoted to become a party wall specialist at Delva Patman Redler, brings a distinctive perspective on the Act — shaped by her extensive work on Crossrail and her experience as a building professional navigating major infrastructure projects.
Career Background
Architecture training in Brighton and work on major projects including Terminal 2, Manchester Airport
Three years in Singapore before returning to the UK construction sector
The pivot from chartered architect to party wall specialist — and why the transition made professional sense
Crossrail and Major Infrastructure
Shirley's role as surveyor handling complex tunnelling and demolition projects under the Crossrail Act
The initial knowledge gaps in major infrastructure projects regarding statutory Party Wall Act obligations
How large-scale projects create party wall challenges that go well beyond typical residential or commercial matters
The Party Wall Act 1996
"The mechanisms of the Party Wall Act are very tried and tested and do seem to work if they're allowed to"
Areas needing legislative clarification — particularly leaseholder rights to notice under Section 6
Proposed amendments: statutory fines for non-compliance, clearer boundary plane definitions in three-dimensional space, and enhanced protections for adjoining owners' future development rights
