For more than a century, the 70-acre site was used for the industrial production of China Clay.  This resulted in a legacy of derelict buildings, naturally occurring radiation material (NORM), asbestos containing materials and ground contamination (hydrocarbons) at the site.  Additional development constraints included a strict tree protection order (TPO) on all mature trees, numerous protected species (bats, badgers, slow worms, reptiles), sensitive surface water course (River Plym), and offered home for around 150 deer[AB1] , which freely migrated between the site and the surrounding fields.

The main elements of the project were as follows:

• Removal and offsite disposal of all asbestos containing materials (ACMs)
• Demolition of residual structures
• Removal of NORM hotspots
• Removal of slab and hardstanding
• Bioremediation of hydrocarbon hotspots
• Validation of ground conditions beneath hardstanding
• Produce Verification Report for planning condition discharge

Cognition successfully cleared 800 tonnes of asbestos sheeting and residual asbestos fragments found in soil and demolished all above ground structures, recycling all materials and producing compliant aggregates for reuse on site. In collaboration with NUVIA, our specialist nuclear subcontractor, all NORM features and hotspots were removed along with extensive underground pipework. Significant environmental enhancements were achieved throughout the project mitigating loss of bird nesting locations, tree replanting, establishment of new bat roosts and 98% of soil reuse on site.

Demolition and NORM works commenced in May 2019, and handover and demobilisation of site was achieved in February 2021. All Cognition’s works were planned and conducted with careful consideration of the surrounding community, environmental permitting and ecological constrains. Works were successfully completed, efficiently and effectively throughout, despite the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic during the works.