West Kentish Town Estate
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Client
London Borough of Camden
Site
West Kentish Town Estate, Camden, London
Duration
5 months
Services Used
Asbestos survey, Removal and Site security
The London Borough of Camden (LBC)/Camden Council have recently embarked on one of its most ambitious regeneration schemes to date, with plans in place to demolish the ageing council properties across the entirety of the West Kentish Town Estate (WKTE), and replace them with modern homes.
WKTE was built in 1964 and consists of 316 homes in 3 and 4 storey blocks. The proposals will see the demolition of Wedmore, Milverton, Durston, Chelwood, Edington, Langridge, Cannington, Ashington and Beckington blocks, making way for the construction of 13 new modern blocks ranging in height from 4 to 14 storeys, providing 880 residential units for both affordable housing and private sale, with commercial units fronting Queen’s Crescent to the North of the estate.
LBC conducted extensive consultation with residents, who had highlighted the failing, poorly insulated buildings, the lack of usable outside space and concerns about security across the estate. It was therefore determined that complete redevelopment represents the best option with regard to sustainability, buildability and performance.
The WKTE regeneration scheme is one of a number of major schemes taking place across Camden and wider London, to improve housing stock across the capital and provide more homes to ease the housing crisis.
Goody Demolition were invited to tender for the demolition and enabling works at WKTE, along with a number of other specialist contractors, and were successful following a rigorous, multi-stage procurement including financial and technical assessments as well as a presentation and tenderer interview.
The first stage of the WKTE works procured were for the demolition of Coity Road, Athlone Street and Wedmore Garages, as well as associated landscaping and the demolition of the Wedmore residential block, with subsequent phases of demolition subject to novation based on performance.
GDL were responsible for a number of administrative and compliance items prior to practical commencement on site, including application for section 80/81 notice from building controls and development of design documentation, which was then submitted to the planning authority to allow the permitted development to go ahead.
Once on site, our scope of works comprised of: establishing hoarding / fencing around the sites to ensure security, safety and prevention of trespass; asbestos surveying within the garages and subsequent removal; internal preparatory soft strip; structural demolition of the various buildings across the site; breaking out slabs; grubbing up and removal of foundations and hard-standings; below ground remediation and contaminated material removal/processing; removal of all waste from site and grading and backfilling of sites prior to handover back to the Council.
The Athlone Street garages were adjacent to the overground railway line and bridge, and as such GDL and LBC worked with the Network Rail ASPRO Team to agree a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) for the works, so as not to disrupt the railway or cause any damage to Network Rail assets.
With the WKTE Development very much in the public eye, and with local residents having differing opinions on the plans for the regeneration of the area, Community Liaison and communication had to be robust and consistent from mobilisation through to completion. GDL Operations department worked with Camden Neighbourhood Liaison Officers and consultation teams to produce informative project boards, letters and news bulletins to keep the community up to date as to the progression of the Project. We initially delivered a “Meet the Contractor” event prior to commencement, where we presented the demolition proposals and hosted a Q&A sessions for any interested parties.
Upon penetrating the slab underneath the first set of garages, our site supervisor immediately raised concerns that there were Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) within the ground beneath. Works were immediately stopped and LBC and Contract Administrator were informed. Following discussions with all parties, GDL were asked to undertake a full remediation of each site as additional works to our original scope. Working with our sister Company and licensed asbestos removal specialist Horizon Environmental, and under supervision from the Council’s Asbestos Consultants, we inspected, assessed and carefully removed and cleared the site of all contaminants prior to handover back to Client.
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