Site Area: Former Convent Grounds, Newry
Scope of Works: Invasive Plant Removal & Remediation
Background
Redevelopment of the St Clare’s Convent site in Newry was complicated by a sizeable infestation of Giant Knotweed. The invasive species posed a major risk to construction, as well as long-term land management, requiring a robust and sustainable remediation strategy.
PWS was appointed to design and deliver a phased remediation programme, ensuring compliance and providing long-term protection against regrowth.
Our Approach
PWS implemented a controlled excavation and treatment programme tailored to the unique challenges of the site.
Key actions included:
Outcomes
Conclusion
The St Clare’s Convent project showcases PWS’s expertise in specialist invasive plant remediation. By combining phased excavation, innovative soil treatment, and long-term warranty support, PWS delivered a cost-effective and sustainable solution, enabling redevelopment to proceed with confidence.
Site Area: Commercial Development Land
Scope of Works: Contaminated Land Remediation & Validation
Background
A new restaurant development in Enniskillen was challenged by the discovery of extensive hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on site. Both contamination types carried environmental and human health risks, requiring a robust remediation strategy to satisfy regulatory requirements and keep the project on track.
PWS was engaged to deliver a full remediation solution, from testing, including the interpretation of laboratory analysis to accurately classify the soils and determine a cost effective management strategy. Following an agreement with the client and Environmental Regulator, PWS were engaged to remediate the contaminated site.
Our Approach
PWS provided a structured, compliant, and cost-effective remediation service tailored to the site’s challenges.
Key activities included:
Outcomes
Conclusion
The Enniskillen project demonstrates PWS’s expertise in managing multi-contaminant remediation challenges. By combining technical knowledge, Regulator liaison, and robust site supervision, PWS ensured that the development could move forward on time, with confidence in both safety and compliance.
Site Area: Brownfield Site (Former shipbuilding site)
Scope of Works: Environmental Watching Brief, Site Investigation & Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation
Background
The Kings Works site, historically associated with shipbuilding and heavy industry, was selected for the development of a regional Amazon distribution centre. As a large brownfield site with extensive industrial use, significant environmental risks were anticipated, including contaminated soils and unknown legacy underground infrastructure.
To ensure the site was safe for redevelopment, PWS was appointed to provide an environmental watching brief, undertaking investigations and overseeing the safe management of contaminated materials. Our role included monitoring groundwater behaviour during the construction phase and ensuring compliance throughout the term of the project.
Our Approach
PWS implemented a structured programme of site investigation, remediation, and environmental monitoring over the entire project period.
Key activities included:
Outcomes
Conclusion
The Kings Works Development is a strong example of PWS’s ability to manage complex brownfield remediation projects. By combining expert environmental oversight, careful management of contaminated materials, and robust groundwater protection, PWS ensured the successful transformation of a historically industrial site into a key asset for modern logistics.
The Loft Lines development, located in the heart of Titanic Quarter, Belfast, consists of three major residential blocks with integrated green space. As part of the site preparation works, an extensive ground investigation was required to ensure safe development and to manage environmental risks in line with regulations.
An initial assessment identified a potential hazardous waste classification for the soils, with approximately 24,000m³ of material identified for disposal. This classification presented a significant challenge: disposal costs of hazardous soils are extremely high, with the potential to impact project budgets and timescales severely.
To address this, we undertook an enhanced site investigation utilising a 20m grid throughout the development area, offering a detailed ground characterisation. This comprehensive approach involved:
By gathering detailed data, we were able to create a more accurate picture of ground conditions, enabling a remediation strategy to be developed.
The enhanced investigation facilitated a significant reduction in predicted contaminated soils, equating to just 6.75% of original estimations.
This findings and PWS’ supervision of the groundworks, delivered substantial benefits:
Through robust investigation and evidence-based classification, we transformed the outlook for the Loft Lines development. Our approach reduced predicted contaminated soil volumes by over 93%, unlocking savings and enabling progress on one of Belfast’s most significant regeneration projects.
On 18 January 2007, severe gale force winds and huge waves caused serious damage to the ship Napoli’s hull, including a crack in one side and a flooded engine room. The ship was then 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Cornwall in the English Channel with approximately 41,700 tonnes of cargo on board.
The condition of the ship made headline news including the salvaging of the ship’s beached cargo that washed up on the south coast of England as far east as the Isle of Wight. The cargo included valuable items such as BMW motorcycles, etc.
In August 2007 the bow section of the ship’s hull was taken to the Harland and Wolff shipyard, Belfast for disposal and recycling. This work involved 150 workers cutting up the high-grade steel. Although a significant quantity of oil was removed from the vessel initially a large quantity of oil was still present in the bottom of the hull posing a continued risk to the environment and H&W personnel involved in the operation.
Practical Waste Solutions Ltd were commissioned by Harland & Wolff to remediate the remaining hazardous oily waste within the ship’s hull employing specialist innovative techniques in both its safe removal and subsequent transport to an appropriate waste management facility.
Carrying out these works safely and effectively was a prime concern, particularly due to the hazardous nature of the waste material and access within the hull to facilitate the operations. The fully compliant works were carried out successfully, within the allocated time period.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust came into existence on 1st April 2007 and is one of five in place throughout Northern Ireland. It manages the health care of approximately 340,000 people living in the city of Belfast and part of the borough of Castlereagh. With an annual budget of approximately £1bn (spending about £3m each day) and a staff of 20,000, it is one of the largest Trusts in the United Kingdom.
The Trust provides a wide range of integrated health services to the wider community incorporating Royal Victoria Hospital (including the Royal Maternity and Children’s Hospital), Belfast City Hospital, Paulsens Pharmacy, Musgrave Park Hospital, Forster Green Hospital, Knockbracken and 100+ Health Centres. The Trust also manages residential homes providing care to the elderly, etc.
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Practical Waste Solutions Ltd already provides environmental, waste management and H&S training to the Trust, ensuring a high level of competency for healthcare staff. In addition to the training and assessment activities, we were commissioned by the Trust to provide a robust audit of all waste management processes in place.
The audit assisted the Trust in realising a variety of cost savings internally adopting enhanced pragmatic systems and adopting a more streamlined approach to their waste management resources. The Trust employs a number of subcontract waste services throughout the City and these operations were also reviewed as part of the audit identifying potential cost saving strategies affected by contractual care.
Established in 1847, Belfast Harbour Commissioners manage some 2,000 acres of docks, harbour and real estate encompassing Northern Ireland’s main logistics and distribution hub. It’s also home to major businesses including Microsoft, Harland & Wolff, Bombardier, Capita and CitiGroup.
Being an extremely busy commercial and cruise liner port the management of environmental and waste management resources are critical. The port complex occupies approximately 900 acres of land zoned for port activity. Practical Waste Solutions Ltd were appointed by Belfast Harbour Commissioners to carry out a full audit of waste management techniques and processes operating within the port. The audit involved the inspection and validation of arisings managed throughout the port accommodating seven wharves and quay facilities.
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The audit was primarily conducted to ensure continuing compliance of the Belfast Harbour’s Port Waste Management Plan, approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in August 2005. In addition to confirming a high level of quality of operations in relation to waste management, the audit highlighted the compliance of operational techniques and records to other applicable legislation such as to Duty of Care and Hazardous Waste management.
Belfast City Council serves an overall population of approximately 330,000 people providing a wide range of services including leisure, parks, waste management, tourism, commercial permitting, street cleansing, planning and building control, recycling, etc.
The council employs some 400+ staff directly involved in their Cleansing Services that includes management of the City’s waste, environmental and street cleansing activities.
Since its establishment, Practical Waste Solutions Ltd have provided training and competence assessment services to the City Council over the years adapting to the council’s need for competent staff and their requirement to place high quality personnel on the ground.
Waste Management Awards
Primarily, staff involved within the Cleansing Services department within the council have engaged in WAMITAB awards, undergoing training and assessment in a range of waste orientated protocols ensuring a sustainable, compliant service. The level of training and assessment provided by Practical Waste Solutions Ltd has certified senior managers within the council with Level 4 waste management competency awards with Level 3 and Level 2 qualifications being successfully obtained by supervisory staff and operational personnel. These awards have not only granted and confirmed high levels of skill throughout the Cleansing Services department but the programme has developed a knowledge base and work-pride culture within the cleansing facilities team.
Customer Care
Practical Waste Solutions Ltd were approached by Belfast City Council to design a bespoke training package centred on Customer Care, primarily for their waste management staff having direct contact with the public. The resulting course we developed took advantage of our many years of experience in the waste management sector and dealing with specific local community’s waste concerns.
Essentially a one day training course; it included methods of enhancing customer care, specific organisational procedures, identifying potential incidents and dealing with unacceptable behaviour. The course was effective in helping individuals deal with situations that, unfortunately, front line staff may find themselves in. The training was expanded and provided to all direct Cleansing Services staff including both supervisors and operational personnel.
