Project: Heron Way Retail park development
Location: Swansea
Client: Private developer
Value: £750k
The Heron Way Retail Park development project was a real treat for TC Consult, and one that, as Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveyor and CDM co-ordinator, they relished.
Consisting of a four-unit purpose-built retail block, the build required them to meet multiple lease specifications and tackle an unforeseen issue with the proposed site.
An innovative solution
When an existing sewer was discovered 4 metres underground right where the building was planned, TC Consult knew that conventional methods of moving it would involve closing the road and causing disruption to local traffic.
Given the time and cost the project would incur, this was something they wanted to avoid.
To mitigate disruption to local businesses and infrastructure, TC used specialist pipe-jacking techniques to divert the sewer. This meant the pipes could be laid without digging trenches and assembled then pushed into position by a hydraulic jack. The result: the challenge was resolved swiftly – and the road didn’t have to close.
Sustaining Wales’ economy
The all-Wales based professional team included EJ Hales, Berry Smith Solicitors, CW Architects, Total Building Control and Shear Design.
Matthew Morgan, partner at EJ Hales, described it as a great development for Swansea saying, “it will definitely help to boost the local economy with the creation of new jobs.
Highlighting that it was Joe’s Ice cream parlour’s fourth outlet and Finnegan’s Fish and Chips fifth, he added: “…not only have we been able to secure national brands such as Costa, but we have been able to help Welsh-based businesses continue to grow.”
The outcome for the client
Thanks to TC’s innovative solution, the build was completed on time and on budget.
National bakery chain Greggs took 1,200 sq ft, Swansea-based Joe’s Ice Cream took 800 sq ft of space, and Porthcawl-based Finnegan’s Fish and Chips, 1,000 sq ft unit. The final 800 sq ft went to pizza chain Papa John’s.
TC Consult also coordinated the development of the first Costa drive-thru at the same site.
