Cognition Land and Water is working with our client, Taylor Wimpey, on turning a former industrial site at Worcester Park into a high quality residential development. Cognition was commissioned to deliver the groundworks, contamination remediation, materials processing and management, earthworks, protection of archaeological remains, installation of a cement stabilised pile mat and site capping system. All of this work was successfully delivered to de-risk the site and allow our client to progress the residential development works.

The site itself is opposite a Council-owned area of public land used by walkers, locals and dog walkers. During an early site visit, Cognition inspected the entrance to site opposite, mainly for site security reasons, and noticed the presence of extensive fly-tipping near the entrance to the area. During a visit from the Local Authority Contaminated Land Officer, she mentioned that fly-tipping had been reported across the road. We inspected the area with her and found that the fly-tipping contained bags and piles of builder’s rubble, including asbestos cement, plus miscellaneous rubbish and a sofa. The padlock had also been cut off the access gate.

We immediately offered to help! Due to the public health risk and our team’s expertise in dealing with asbestos safely, we arranged for swift removal of the asbestos sheeting for safe disposal. This work was promptly completed and the asbestos has been safely removed to a suitably licensed facility, thereby removing the hazardous component of the fly-tipped waste. We secured the site again, on behalf of the Council, to avoid future fly-tipping.

In her response to us after the completion of the works, the Council Officer said in an email that “this is clearly way ‘above and beyond’ for Rick and his team to do this and I am extremely grateful that they are prepared to extend themselves in this way”.

At Cognition Land and Water, we are very proud of the contribution we make to local communities and wider society through our improvement, remediation, regeneration and redevelopment of marginal and brownfield land. Examples such as Worcester Park, where we can give back that little bit more to the local community, is very rewarding for us and a great benefit to the community.

If you would like further information about the work we have done for Taylor Wimpey at Worcester Park or details of our materials processing and asbestos handling capabilities, please contact Rick Willemse on rick.willemse@cognitionltd.com.