‘Exemplar’ demolition work underway at Chambers Wharf
1 October 2008
Simon Hughes MP lends support to major new riverside residential development
Demolition work has begun on a four-acre brownfield site at Chambers Wharf on the bank of the River Thames at Southwark, paving the way for one of the greenest proposed residential developments in London.
St Martins, the international property development company behind the project, has spearheaded a plan to remove the majority of waste from the site by barge down the Thames – instead of by road. In spite of the extra cost involved, St Martins’ decision will put a stop to an estimated 6,000 lorry movements on the local roads of this primarily residential area. There will also be a saving of approximately 75% in the CO2 emissions by using river rather than road transport.
Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat representative for Southwark North and Bermondsey, joined ward councilors and members of the development team on-site today (1 October) to see the progress of the work during which 15 disused warehouse and commercial buildings will be demolished.
St Martins received planning approval from Southwark Council in July this year to go ahead with the new development and create 596 new apartments – 189 of which will be affordable – with some commercial and retail units at ground level, fronting Chambers Street. It will provide substantial benefits to the local community, including significant enhancements to the public realm, including a new riverside walkway, recreation areas and open spaces.
The demolition is being carried out for St Martins by leading contractor Cantillon and the Chambers Wharf site has already been awarded ‘Exemplar’ status under the Considerate Contractor Scheme. The entire development team has gone to unprecedented lengths to ensure the demolition process is in keeping with the environmental vision for Chambers Wharf which includes an ‘Excellent’ EcoHomes rating, 13 wind turbines, combined heat and power plants, ground source heating/cooling and solar panels for water heating.
The majority of demolition material, comprising brick, concrete, steel and timber, will be transported off-site by barge down the Thames to waste recycling plants beside the river in Kent. St Martins has gained full approval from the Port of London Authority and Environment Agency to pursue this approach, saving an estimated 35 lorry movements a day. The remaining waste material will be stockpiled on-site and recycled to be used for the construction phase.
Roger King, Assistant Executive Director at St Martins, said: “A key objective of the demolition process was to take every opportunity to minimise disruption to the local community. Removing the waste by river is an innovative solution cutting out the need for regular lorry movements, which will benefit local residents a great deal. I believe this project sets a benchmark to others of how to carry out a major demolition on a river frontage in a highly sustainable, neighbour-sympathetic approach.”
Following completion of the demolition process in March 2009, there will be a further period of design development, and market conditions will be considered before the construction phase begins.
Chambers Wharf website: www.chambers-wharf.co.uk
For further information, please contact:
Richard Stocks, FD Tamesis on behalf of St Martins
+44 (0)20 7269 9355
+44 (0)7951 328475
Notes to editors:
Chambers Wharf – key facts
Site size: 1.5 hectares (3.6 acres)
Total residential space: Gross approx 63,000 sq m (680,000 sq ft); Net approx 39,000 sq m (420,000 sq ft)
Total commercial space: 480 sq m (5,170 sq ft)
Parking spaces: 183 for cars, 24 for motorcycles and 656 for bicycles
Renewable energy: Combined heat and power units; ground source heat pumps; solar thermal panels; rainwater harvesting; green and brown roofs and wind turbines.
Carbon emission reduction: in excess of 30% lower than Building Regulations Part L 2006.
Project team: In addition to St Martins as the developer, the expert team includes Ian Simpson Architects, DP9 (town planning), Hoare Lea (building services) Clarke Bond (structure), Gardiner & Theobald (cost consultants), Place Design (landscape), Denis Wilson (transport) and ENTEC (environmental).
The demolition programme – key facts
Contractor: Cantillon Ltd
Start date: August 2008
Completion date: March 2009
Waste:
- 70,000 tonnes of brick and concrete
- 600 tonnes of steel
- 350 tonnes of timber
- 62% of waste transported by river barge and recycled
- 38% of waste stockpiled on site and re-used in construction process
