Tower Point, Ashford

Our remediation project Tower Point in Ashford, Kent is now complete. This was the latest project in a great number of projects undertaken with Clarion Housing Group.

Tower Point is a residential block reaching 7 storeys at its highest point. It is a detached, purpose-built building, containing 20 general-needs flats.

Works included the replacement of existing combustible cladding systems with non-combustible Rockpanel FS-Xtra rainscreen panels and Saint-Gobain Weber UK & Ireland EWI systems.

Logistics

This development is bounded by residential buildings, and there are also commercial units nearby. As such there was generally a reasonably high presence of pedestrian foot flow around the perimeter of the site and at access and egress points around the building to the north and east elevations, children, and vehicles in proximity to the building. Therefore, we strictly followed the precautions outlined in the traffic management plan to reduce, as far as possible, any risk to the public, nearby properties, and road users. We also had a 5mph speed limit in operation within the site compound area and approach roads for all delivery vehicles. The drivers were advised in advance of highly populated area and that due care and attention should be taken at all times. The area can be highly congested during peak times, so deliveries were timed outside these hours to avoid disruption. Walkways were monitored at all times during delivery and if closures had to be put in place, pedestrian diversions were set up.

The building had a few challenges regarding its design. For example, where the brise-soleil was situated, scaffold had to be specifically designed to be narrower than usual. This was designed and installed by trusted scaffold specialists, who ensured the scaffold design was efficient and the installation was safe. Architectural fins were also present with rainscreen behind them that needed to be accessed to complete the works.

Social Value

Lawtech are committed to hiring local where possible. This was demonstrated in this project as we employed local labourers. Two of the labourers since progressed in their career with us at Lawtech, working as an Assistant Site Manager and a Trainee Quantity Surveyor under our guidance and being provided the opportunity to undertake relevant qualifications.

Key Challenge

Located at a busy roundabout, which is the main road for the County Square shopping centre down the road (0.1 mile), Ashford International train station is a short distance (0.6 miles) too, so traffic management and access points were important to mitigate risks and inconvenience to all stakeholders and general public.