Colt International (Phase 1 & 2)

Tibbalds CampbellReith were appointed by Homes England to provide consultancy and contract administration services across two phases of work to de-risk and open up the former Colt International for development as part of Homes England’s Accelerated Construction initiative.

The aim of this scheme was to regenerate the former Colt International site (now referred to as Colts Brook) and introduce new residential development and commercial floor space.

CampbellReith managed all stages of the project from preparation of demolition specifications, assessing tenders, drafting contract documents (NEC 3 Engineering Construction Contract Option A) contractor appointment, contract administration and the provision of CDM services (including fulfilling the role of Principal Designer).

The buildings of the former Colt International site comprised of a five story concrete framed office block, a two story intermediate office block, a large double height steel portal frame warehouse and multiple single story ancillary structures.

Licensed and non-licensed asbestos works were identified throughout the buildings to be demolished with particularly high occurrences observed in the two story intermediate office block and the roof cladding and internal partitions of the large double height warehouse. Particular care was also needed to protect an historic culvert running through the site, a substation to be retained and a highways structure in the form a retaining wall running along a section of Bartons Road to the North.

The demolition of the Colt International Buildings included: the safe removal of asbestos (licensed and non-licensed work); soft-strip works followed by the controlled demolition of the superstructure of each of the buildings present on the site; and the crushing, grading and stock piling on site of all suitable site won material ready to be incorporated in the next phase of works.

The demolition also demanded careful consideration of and liaison with the neighbouring land owners.

The consultancy services provided included a review of previous background information, undertaking additional surveys (e.g. utilities) where necessary to inform the proposed works, specifying ground investigation and managing the site work, undertaking a ground water assessment, developing a remediation strategy, liaising with the Local Planning Authority (Havant Borough Council), supporting Homes England through the process of procuring a development partner to take the site forward, identifying and ensuring pre-commencement conditions were discharged and undertaking active community liaison.

The project was high commended at the NEC Building / FM Projects of the year awards 2020.