This development of 6 four bedroom houses by Wandle Housing Association demonstrates how a derelict site can become an attractive residential area. When we first visited the site it was completely covered to a depth of 2.5m by 'fly tipping' and a derelict shed and gave little sign of the dramatic change to come.
Initially we let a contact to clear the site of some 3,000m3 of rubbish so that the full extent of the area could be seen and a soil survey carried out. Whilst the this clearance revealed a large, almost level, site the soil survey revealed that piled foundation were required and that the ground was contaminated to a depth of over 1m.
In discussion with Southwark's Planners and Environmental Health Department it was agreed that the gardens would be paved over to avoid removing the contaminated material. However, the large landscaped area to the front of the site had the soil removed to a depth of 1200mm and replaced with clean material.
The superstructure of the houses is timber framed which enabled the SAP and NHER ratings required not only to be met but also exceeded.
© 2004 Eldridge Bexley Ltd