Demolition & Regeneration at Agora Centre

Client

Milton Keynes Council

Site

Agora Centre

Duration

11 months

Services Used

asbestos removal, demolition and removal

Project Background

The regeneration of the Wolverton Agora has been a priority of Milton Keynes City Council for over 20 years, and is the central aim of the adopted Wolverton Neighbourhood Plan. A number of private investors have previously looked to lead plans to deliver the redevelopment, however after these fell through, the Council stepped in to buy the site and deliver the scheme directly.
The development will deliver 86 new homes for rent (31% of these being affordable housing), commercial premises, an energy microgrid generating over 60% of the scheme’s energy requirements, pedestrian zones, park areas and a sustainable mobility hub.
‘Love Wolverton’ reflects long-held community ambitions for the redevelopment of the failed 1970’s shopping centre, and the completion of the demolition allows the regeneration plans to proceed apace, commencing Summer 2023.

Scope of Works

GDL were employed by Milton Keynes Council following a highly competitive tendering process via the Procure Public Demolition framework. Our scope of work included strip-out and disposal of all existing fittings, furnishing, equipment and building services; asbestos removal; demolition and removal from site of the existing structure; removal of all slabs and foundations; crushing and processing of arisings to 6F2 spec, including certification and stockpiling as well as reduced dig, backfilling and stability works to the southern elevation where the foundations abutted the adjacent streets.
Additional items within our scope including protection of all trees to remain in situ; preparation of documentation to satisfy discharge of planning conditions; service disconnections/terminations and working with the local historical society to carefully remove 2no. signs from the building to be carefully transported to the town museum.

Challenges Overcome

Undiscovered Asbestos

An already complex demolition project was made tougher by the presence of extensive amounts of ACMs. Despite thorough investigative surveys prior to demolition, vast quantities of additional asbestos were discovered buried within the structure and in unusual locations across the site. Working closely with our partner company, Horizon Environmental, all asbestos was safely removed and arisings cleaned and screened prior to processing.

Protection of Substation

To the North West of the site, within the demolition boundary, was an existing substation. Though initial plans were to have this disconnected, re-routed and removed, the utility supplier advised that the substation was essential to the town infrastructure, and had to remain. We designed and installed a crash deck and developed a retention and access plan to ensure the substation remained protected throughout the works.

Planning Discharge

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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