248-250 Camden Road
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Client
London Borough of Camden
Site
248-250 Camden Road, Camden, London
Duration
10 months
Services Used
Demolition and Asbestos Removal
Camden Road Hostel is part of an ambitious plan to ensure that everyone has a place to live or is on a pathway to achieving this, minimising homelessness and rough sleeping. Camden Council are developing a portfolio of temporary hostel accommodation that better meets the needs of homeless households and supports the longer-term objectives of finding them settled, sustainable housing. The goal for the project is to provide high quality council-owned family accommodation that is welcoming and secure while also improving the quality of the Camden Road site.
A comprehensive study of the existing building was undertaken to explore whether it could be refurbished rather than replaced. This study identified several problems which would have prevented the re-provision of high-quality homes within the existing building
The proposal is for a six storey building that will provide 39 new homes for much needed family accommodation.
The poor condition of the existing building, along with the vast amounts of asbestos containing materials within meant renovation was not a cost effective option. Therefore demolition of existing hostel and redevelopment of the site was the only viable solution, and following a competitive tendering process GDL were awarded the contract and appointed Principal Contractor.
Our scope of works included satisfying the discharge of planning conditions prior to commencement, service disconnections/terminations/diversions, erection of both access and protection scaffolds, additional asbestos surveying and subsequent removal of all identified ACMs, tree protection works, internal strip out of buildings, structural demolition of buildings and breaking out of slabs and foundations, handing the site back flat and secure and ready for the Construction phase of works.
Due to the close proximity of neighbours and location of site on a London Red Route, there was a need to carefully manage the impact of the works and ensure transparency throughout the demolition process. GDL were therefore tasked with engaging the local community, addressing concerns and making relevant information available to them. We undertook multiple letter drops with project updates, put up flyers and posters around the area and hosted Community meetings via teams.
Both side elevations of the building were extremely close to the occupied adjacent properties. There were concerns from our neighbours over noise, dust, privacy and potential trespass due to the proximity of our scaffolding and intensity of our operations. We discussed proposals with the managing agents of the properties and residents representatives, to agree access arrangements and provide mitigation techniques to ease their concerns. Window protection was provided, dust and debris screens erected, secure and alarmed scaffolding installed and a cleaning regime put in place for the duration of the project.
Permission for the works was granted under detailed stipulations, with requirements for multiple conditions to be met prior to works commencing. As part of our contract, GDL were responsible for producing documentation, submitting and ensuring discharge of numerous planning conditions, including Demolition Methodology, Construction Phase Plan and Environmental Management Plans.
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