Portland Drive.

DDA were appointed in 2018 for a full-service engineering design package of structural, civil and services diversions on this complex and challenging brownfield redevelopment. The construction works comprised the demolition of existing post-war four storey block and new development of fifty market-sale homes, handed over in phases during fourth quarter of 2020. This was the latest phase of an existing town built to re-house displaced families from London after the last war.

Raven Homes selected to undertake Portland Drive under a JCT Construction Management contract, so the communication and teamwork between all parties became crucial to success. As the Employer, Raven selected a Construction Manager, the deign team and trade contractors, giving Raven direct and proactive management control over the quality of design, and the quality of works.

The principal challenges comprised the demolition, clean-up and remediation of site to ensure the most efficient and economical engineering solutions were identified early-on. This required a detailed risk assessment and strategy as the site sits in the heart of an existing neighbourhood, surrounded on all four sides by access routes to adjoining housing and community facilities.

Brownfield sites are prioritised for development by the planning system and existing government, and this is a typical scheme where the client and design team has worked closely together to support new housing growth on brownfield land over greenfield. This is a more sustainable form of development, but requires careful assessment of the risks in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts in order to find the right remediation solution.