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Plumstead West Thamesmead
The Challenge:
This 6.1 hectare site is located at the east side of the Royal Borough of Greenwich on the eastern extremities of Woolwich Town Centre in Plumstead. The proposed development masterplan is for the creation of residential led development, called Lombard Square, consisting of over 1,750 homes in 5 phases over 9 plots.
The site was formerly used as a motor works, munitions facility and other unspecified industrial and commercial uses. Above and below ground oil storage tanks have been noted on historical maps, which may have acted as sources of groundwater hydrocarbon contamination. Past investigation and contamination assessment indicated that the Made Ground was contaminated with PAH, TPH, heavy metals and asbestos, with a central plume of both free-phase and dissolved phase hydrocarbons in the perched groundwater.
Cognition was engaged by the client to carry out enabling works, bulk earthworks and remediation of the contaminated soil and groundwater as well as initial sitewide infrastructure.
The Approach
Cognition’s approach, in keeping with our sustainability ethos, was to maximise reuse of materials on site through proactive engagement with regulators, bespoke targeted remediation strategy and the deployment of innovative technologies and approaches to remediation.
On the Plumstead West Thameside (PWT) site, we engaged with the Environment Agency to agree main treatment methods for specified contaminants and processing of site arisings. This enabled Cognition to utilise our Mobile Plant Permit (MPP) and carry out remediation works in accordance with the agreed Remediation Plan (RIP) and reuse of soil under the DoWCoP in conjunction with the Material Management Plan (MMP).
We utilised our innovative FabEx system to target NAPL contaminated groundwater rather than conventional pump and treat methods saving on large volumes of groundwater requiring treating on site or disposal offsite.
All remediation works were completed under a watching brief by a trained Environmental Engineer in accordance with the RIP. This discovery strategy ensured that both identified and unforeseen contamination was removed as the works progresses.
The Outcome
The remediation, earthworks, enabling and infrastructure works were completed to time and budget with platform areas handed over for follow-on works and all verification reporting completed to enable the client to discharge relevant planning conditions. Throughout the works, all stakeholders were fully engaged and informed including local residents through letter drops. Over 38,000m3 of soil was remediated, processed and reused on site.
