A scaffolder fears he will lose £1.5m as his equipment has stood unused for nearly a year.

David King, of Scaffold Connect, was contracted to provide scaffolding for the Bargate Quarter development.

But when work at the £132m Southampton scheme ground to a halt last year, the 53-year-old’s equipment was left at the site – with no way for him to retrieve it.

He has spent £50,000 fighting a 10-month-long battle to save his materials, which he now fears will need to be scrapped. He also wants compensation.

Daily Echo: David King stood outside the Bargate development in Southampton, his scaffolding seen in the backgroundDavid King stood outside the Bargate development in Southampton, his scaffolding seen in the background (Image: Newsquest)

“We have been starved of our resources and this is £1.5m worth of equipment which is not going to be easy for me to get back,” Mr King said.

“It is my lifelong work.”

Mr King was hired by the original contractor Henry Construction Ltd to supply scaffolding for the major development.

But when the firm went bust in June last year, Mr King has struggled to get his equipment back.

READ MORE: Stalled Bargate Quarter development funder says homes will be ready 'by 2026'

He said: “As a supplier, we had a retention of title – where we retain legal ownership of our equipment – which was quickly dealt with by the administrators.

“We then had to provide proof that the equipment was ours with Tellon Capital, who originally took on the site after work stopped.

“But Legal & General knocked Tellon out in December 2023 and we had to go through the whole process again.

“Our equipment has been there for 10 months so the condition of it is not good.

“It has been underwater due to recent flooding and been attacked by sea air for all that time.

“Legal & General will not recognise our compensation for this.”

Since December, Mr King has been embroiled in a battle with Legal & General to retrieve his equipment and receive financial compensation for the damage caused. He has spent £50,000 on legal fees.

Daily Echo:

He said: “Legal & General will not pay me a penny – they are not even answering my calls or emails.

“I employ my two sons and we have five staff members, but we’ve had to significantly reduce our numbers because of the hardships we have been through since 2023.

“I have been forced to spend money I do not have on legal fees.”

Legal & General says it is working to ensure the kit is returned in “a timely and cost-effective manner”.

The developer said contact was made with Mr King after taking over the site last year.

A spokesperson said: “Following instructions of the original contractor’s administrator, we’re working to minimise any further disruption for those affected.

“Whilst we are acting in line with the stipulations set out by the administrators, we are in regular communication with Mr King to ensure his equipment is returned in a timely and cost effective manner.”