What we did:
This project involved the substantial demolition, remodelling and refurbishment works to 2 three storey buildings with existing retail space on the ground floor and storage/office accommodation on the first and second floors. Access and parking to the rear of the properties were also inadequate.
Client:
Carmarthenshire County Council (South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework)
Works completed:
- Demolition of the rear extensions
- Creation of four two-bedroomed flats on the first and second floors
- Construction of new extension at the rear of the properties to house an access stairway and lift to the first and second-floor flats
- Creation of new parking at the rear of the building for residents
- The retail space was retained on the ground floor level with storage being created at the rear ground floor and at basement level.
Key things we had to consider:
- Due to the limited space available at the site there was very limited scope to accommodate our site set up. With the agreement of a local company we were able to establish site set up on their land.
- The building was located in the town centre, surrounded by operational commercial businesses and access to these buildings was required at all times. A comprehensive health, safety, operational management system was adopted in agreement with the neighbouring businesses to minimise any disruption to their day to day activities.
- The management of the demolition process was again a major consideration due to the limited space available to undertake the works. A detailed demolition plan was developed and incorporated within the site operations with particular focus being given to noise and dust pollution.
- Different floor levels being identified in each building posed a challenge specifically in respect of the lift position. This designed out during the pre-contract stage of the project.
- Following practical completion and outside the scope of works it was found that there was inadequate ventilation within the basement areas used as storage areas for the commercial units. Working with one of our supply chain member’s a solution was identified with a ventilation system being installed with minimum disruption to the tenants.
Standards achieved:
- Carmarthenshire Home Standard
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control)
Community benefits from the building:
- Increased local housing
- Town centre regeneration
Community benefits from the project:
- The contract was the first in Carmarthenshire County Council’s strategy of bringing commercial properties back into occupation in the town centres. The strategy included providing new modern residential flats above the commercial outlets. It was clear that this strategy worked on this project as both units were tenanted as well as the four flats above on completion. The regeneration of the town centres in Carmarthenshire can only be viewed as a positive initiative to the future prosperity and well-being of its residents.
- A further 2 remodelling projects were delivered by the company at 31 and 48 Stepney Street to create retail space to attract/create new business and employment opportunities as part of the town centre regeneration programme.
Employment, work experience and training:
- 49 trainee and apprentice weeks
- 56 hours of work trials
- 6 interviews for potential candidates identified by Communities for Work (formerly LIFT)
- 3 work placements
- 2 new site operative jobs
- 1 week’s work experience provided by the electrical sub-contractor
- 1 new apprentice joined our apprenticeship programme and achieved his NVQ Level 3 Qualification
Environmental benefits:
- Improved energy efficiency of the building through installation of energy efficient boilers which led to improved U Values.
Contract Value:
£856,000
Duration:
51 weeks
Local economy:
- 100% of the workforce from the SA postcode area.
- 83% of total project spend in Wales.
- New sub-contractor opportunities
Employment, work experience and training:
- 49 trainee and apprentice weeks
- 56 hours of work trials
- 6 interviews for potential candidates identified by Communities for Work (formerly LIFT)
- 3 work placements
- 2 new site operative jobs
- 1 week’s work experience provided by the electrical sub-contractor
- 1 new apprentice joined our apprenticeship programme and achieved his NVQ Level 3 Qualification
Fair payment targets achieved:
100%
