Businesses awarded demolition contract for Havering's biggest housing project
Two local businesses have been awarded demolition contracts by joint venture partners, Havering Council and Wates Residential as part of the borough’s biggest regeneration project.
Solar, Serena and Sunrise Court, Hornchurch, and Napier and New Plymouth houses in Rainham, will be demolished as part of the 12 estates joint venture project, which will see 3,000 high quality homes delivered for local people over the next 12 to 15 years.
Kilnbridge Construction Services has been awarded a contract to undertake controlled demolition of Napier House, New Plymouth House and a two-storey car park on Dunedin Road in Rainham.
This will include the internal strip-out of the building, with all materials to be recycled wherever possible. Demolition will be carried out behind a full scaffold enclosure to minimise the impact on neighbouring residential streets.
Downwell Demolition, based in neighbouring Thurrock, Essex, will carry out the controlled demolition of Solar, Serena and Sunrise Court in Hornchurch and will also look to maximise the amount of waste diverted from landfill.
Around the clock dust and noise monitoring systems will be put in place around the perimeters of the both sites during the demolition works and monitored regularly.
The joint venture partners made the announcement on Thursday this week at the second Meet the Buyer event hosted this year in Havering.
This forms a key part of Havering Council and Wates Residential’s ambition to deliver a borough-wide legacy through investment in employment, education, skills and training. This includes a pledge from the developer to boost the local economy by using local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
This investment will make up a minimum of 10 percent of the total programme, valued at £100m of contracts to be secured by local businesses.
The events are an opportunity for local suppliers to learn about contract opportunities for groundworks, hard and soft landscaping, brickwork, roofing, windows, carpentry, plastering and dry lining, curtain walling, security, design, tiling, painting and decorating, and cladding and lighting protection.
Sourcing local suppliers is also kinder on the environment as it can cut the carbon emissions that are usually produced by travelling large distances.
The first Meet the Buyer session, held on January 17 at Havering College, was a chance for representatives from Havering Council and Wates Residential to meet with over 80 people from 55 local construction-related businesses and discuss potential future work on three sites earmarked for regeneration, including the Waterloo Estate in Romford and Napier and New Plymouth Houses in Rainham.
This second event focused on internal works and was attended by 60 people from over 30 local businesses.
The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Damian White, attended the event alongside Council staff representing its regeneration team and Havering Works; the Council’s new employment and skills service.
Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, commented:
“I am very happy to see how our partnership and the commitment to social value are able to benefit local businesses.
“The regeneration of the borough isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s part of the wider commitment by the Council to ensure that our regeneration programmes are focused on a wholesale regeneration of Havering
“By encouraging local businesses to register for the Council’s Supply Chain Initiative, they can learn about the significant opportunities just like this. By then accessing the support provided by Havering Works, we can help these same local businesses to find and recruit Havering people looking for work.
“This joined-up approach benefits everyone – particularly Havering businesses and residents – to fully realise their ambition and potential. I want these contracts to be the first of many we award to local businesses.
Kate Ives, Development Director for Wates Residential, said:
“We are committed to increasing opportunities for local residents through our presence in the borough. This includes involving them throughout the entire build process and ensuring that procurement across each of our developments offers opportunities for local businesses to flourish.
Two further Meet the Buyer sessions are planned on February 28 and March 7, with local businesses of all sizes, including social enterprise suppliers, urged to attend if they are interested in getting involved. The events are free to attend but pre-registration is essential and businesses should contact havering@wates.co.uk if they are interested.
For further opportunities, the Council is encouraging local businesses to join the Supply Chain Initiative. Once registered, this ensures that businesses are updated about all the upcoming opportunities in the borough.