J Freeley kick starts Colwyn Bay regeneration.
J Freeley’s demolition of an eyesore has paved the way for the redevelopment of a key regeneration site in the north Wales resort of Colwyn Bay. The company demolished the former market hall and neighbouring empty shops after landing the contract with Conwy County Borough Council following a competitive tender.
The council and the Welsh government bought the site in 2012 as part of the Bay Life+ regeneration project, which involves the purchase of buildings of strategic significance to Colwyn Bay’s future.
Freeley’s work involved removing asbestos from the 19th century, four-storey building and making the structure safe with propping before demolition could begin. The demolition itself had to be carefully planned, as the site lies on Princes Drive, which runs through the town centre, and near the busy A55 and a railway line.
Complex traffic management issues had to be addressed, including the provision of temporary traffic lights and careful phasing of heavy goods site traffic to avoid congestion and disruption in the town centre. Also, the buildings were attached to an historic and listed former cinema, now a Wetherspoon pub called The Picture House.
More than 98 per cent of the materials removed from the site were recycled for re-use in future construction projects, including 125 tonnes of wood and timber, 70,000 bricks, 20 tonnes of steel, 10 tonnes of light iron and 1,800 tonnes of hardcore.
The next phase for the site will see council officials prepare a development brief and invite proposals for schemes which could include shops, homes, offices or leisure amenities.
