The Challenge
Further to BXB Cowley Hill acquiring the 104 acre site from NSG (Pilkingtons) DBR were tasked to provide a Remedial Strategy to facilitate the outline planning application for a proposed 1,250 homes and 52,000 sq ft of mixed-use space.
The site was, until recently, owned by Pilkingtons Glass and was used for the manufacture of sheet glass. Pilkingtons continue to retain an area of land adjacent to the site for manufacturing, however areas of the site are currently undergoing demolition as part of works to surrender an IPPC permit.
In the early 1850’s parts of the site were mined for coal, with both shallow and deep coal seams worked to depths of around 150m. The coal workings were accessed via shafts of which 25 are thought to fall along or within the boundary of the site.
The Solution
Initially DBR undertook a detailed review of historical environmental data for the site (provide by Pilkingtons) and prepared a conceptual site model and outline strategy to enable pre-application discussions with both the EHO and EA.
Through close regulatory liaison and design team co-ordination DBR co-ordinated further coal mining, geotechnical and environmental investigations to produce an integrated enabling & remedial strategy to deliver the proposed development platform.
DBR supported the planning team in providing an environmental engineering led master plan and proposed site levels. All works have been set to mitigate the requirement for any off-site disposal and enable 100% re-use of site won materials
Successful approval was gained form the EA and EHO in late 2020 and DBR continue to co-ordinate with the planning team to consider on-going environmental management requirements and development abnormal allowances for viability purposes.
