Blackfriars Project Management delighted with Planning Condition Discharge.

Manhire Associates were engaged by Black Pearl early in the New Year to help discharge a number of complex Planning Conditions for the mixed-use development on Blackfriars Road. The discharge of the conditions was an important early milestone identified by Blackfriars Project Management in the procurement and construction of the development.

Manhire Associates advised on a number of complex issues relating to the design and construction of the 3 and 4 storey basement and foundations for the 5 buildings forming the development including the 178.5m high residential tower and 136m tall office building.

Although the site is not affected by the presence of Tube Lines, a British Telecom tunnel underlies the site and this was one of a number of adjacent assets around the development that were identified as key constraints that were addressed in the Basement Impact Assessment.

Southwark’s Flood and Drainage Team noted that the development extended below the higher ground water regime and Manhire Associates tailored the Basement Impact Assessment to specifically focus on the issues identified in London Borough of Southwark’s Basement and Flooding – Guide to Developers. By undertaking a study of the wider ‘hydrology’, the team demonstrated that basement would not cause ‘damming’ and were able to show that the ground water is free-flowing around the development.

The Environment Agency were concerned with the risk of piling operations drawing down contaminants into the underlying Aquifers and detailed foundation proposals were developed in response to a number of different but related conditions, including archaeology.

Blackfriars Project Management were delighted that all the relevant conditions were discharged in time and noted how quickly Manhire Associates were able to respond to various matters raised by the stake-holders and statutory authorities.

Building good lines of communication was essential as well as ensuring that the submissions were focussed.

Planning consent was granted in July 2017 for the demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a new 111,500m² mixed use development by Wilkinson-Eyre and Brisac Gonzales Architects.