Portsmouth City Council

Year Founded: 1926
Headquarter Location: Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2AL
Industry: Government
Website: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Company Profile: Portsmouth City Council is the local authority responsible for delivering public services and local governance across the city of Portsmouth on England’s south coast. Serving a population of more than 210,000 residents within a compact and densely populated urban area, the council oversees a wide range of services including housing, planning, waste management, social care, education, and economic development.

Horatia and Leamington Houses, Portsmouth

Hughes and Salvidge were appointed Principal Contractor for the demolition of Horatia House and Leamington House, Portsmouth, in early 2021. The two 19-storey residential towers, constructed of pre-cast concrete structural members with a large panel system (LPS), were located within a busy residential area.

The scope of works included site establishment, installation of designed crane mats, scaffold erection, asbestos removal, soft strip operations, structural demolition and ground reinstatement.

All services were isolated prior to asbestos removal and soft strip works. Scaffolding was erected to both towers and temporary propping installed while asbestos removal was undertaken by Hughes and Salvidge’s specialist division, H&S Asbestos.

Asbestos works included the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing floor tiles. Tiles were removed as intact as possible using handheld floor tile lifters, while carpeted areas were cut into manageable sections and removed whole. Materials were double bagged in regulation asbestos waste bags and transferred to enclosed asbestos skips. Personal monitoring and reassurance testing was undertaken at key stages, and work areas were thoroughly cleaned in accordance with SOP/V1/24 Fine Cleaning of Work Areas.

During site establishment, access roads and laydown areas were installed to service both towers. A designed and approved crane working mat was constructed prior to structural demolition, supported by plate bearing tests and regular inspection and recording throughout the works.

Due to the building construction and surrounding environment, demolition was carried out using a top-down methodology with small excavators and mobile cranes.

Both towers had steel-framed pitched roofs containing plant and equipment, which were stripped and dismantled by hand before removal by crane. Excavators and skid steer loaders were then lifted onto the roof to begin structural demolition.

Excavators fitted with impact hammers and buckets removed screed to expose panel joints before breaking floor panels into manageable sections, allowing debris to fall to the floor below. Panels were broken working back towards the excavator, which was never positioned on the panel being broken.

External and internal pre-cast wall panels were removed by forming lifting holes, securing the panels with chains and lowering them by crane to ground level for mechanical processing and removal from site. All lifts were coordinated by a dedicated lift supervisor, with exclusion zones and controlled laydown areas in place.

Demolition progressed floor-by-floor, with excavators lowered sequentially as each level was completed. As the building height reduced, scaffolding was progressively removed. Once demolition reached the second floor level, a high-reach excavator supported by a 490 excavator completed the remaining structural demolition mechanically.

“Hughes and Salvidge would be my preferred supplier for any demolition works.”

Arthur Pope House

Hughes and Salvidge won a competitive tendering process to be awarded this contract, which was undertaken under the JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2011, with Hughes and Salvidge acting as Principal Contractor.

Arthur Pope House, an 8-storey residential block with a healthcare centre at its base, formed the final phase of a demolition programme that also included the nearby Southsea Community Centre. Brook House was initially included but later withdrawn. The overall programme for the works was 18 weeks.

Located in a busy residential area in the centre of Portsmouth, the project required careful management due to its close proximity to residents, businesses, schools and surrounding highways.

Works included the removal of all asbestos containing materials, a full soft strip, and the demolition of all existing structures, including foundations, drainage, redundant services, concrete slabs and external hardstanding, together with the safe disposal of all arisings.

The buildings were immediately adjacent to pavements and highways, requiring close coordination. Lookouts with radio communication were positioned on surrounding highways to stop pedestrians and vehicles and temporarily halt demolition works when required. Two banksmen controlled all vehicle movements entering and exiting the site.

Service drawings provided by the Council identified underground services, which were marked on site where possible, and a no-dig zone was established along the boundary. Isolation certificates were obtained and further investigations undertaken to confirm all services were safely disconnected.

Arthur Pope House was constructed with a reinforced concrete frame with masonry infill panels. Demolition was carefully sequenced towards the lift/stair cores and shear walls to maintain structural stability. Following superstructure demolition, machines with breakers removed the ground floor slab, with materials stockpiled for further processing. CAT scanning and a Permit to Dig were completed prior to substructure works.

Due to the proximity of residents and schools, the project operated under strict working hours, with noise, vibration and dust closely monitored. A Dust Boss suppression system and on-site monitors ensured environmental impacts were minimised.

The team also implemented community liaison measures, including distributing information leaflets and displaying site contact details. Additional works included tree protection, hoarding variations and bat mitigation works.

Regular progress meetings, chaired by the Contracts Manager, ensured programme and cost control throughout the project, enabling the works to be completed on programme and within budget.

Edinburgh House

Hughes and Salvidge were appointed Principal Contractor for the demolition of Edinburgh House, a former care home in Portsmouth.

The 9-week project involved asbestos removal, a comprehensive soft strip, demolition of the buildings, removal of ground slabs and foundations, and the removal or recycling of all materials from site.

The site was located opposite a school, creating time restrictions for on site traffic during peak times. Hughes and Salvidge implemented detailed risk assessments and method statements to ensure public safety, ensuring site traffic did not interfere with school operations.

Prior to mechanical demolition, the building - consisting of four wings - underwent soft strip works and asbestos removal. During these works, site hoarding and tree protection measures were installed to safeguard the surrounding environment. Site staff used appropriate RPE and specialist PPE throughout to ensure safe working practices.

Due to the site layout and the presence of tree protection zones, demolition commenced from the gable ends of each wing. The first three wings were demolished by traversing along the hillside while keeping the excavator within the building footprint on the existing concrete slab, protecting surrounding trees and vegetation.

Arisings from these wings were transported to a designated area and segregated into different material streams. The fourth and largest wing was demolished progressing down the slope, allowing the machine to continue tracking forward along the slab within the building footprint.

Following demolition, the site was CAT scanned and a Permit to Dig issued before breaking and removing the concrete slab using an impact hammer. Materials were stockpiled and crushed to 6F2 on site, which was then spread across the site to provide the flat surface required by the client. Remaining materials were removed from site for recycling, leaving the site in a safe and tidy condition.