TJ Morris t/a Home Bargains – Forgate Street, Chester
Project Scope
In the heart of Chester’s Foregate Street, Krol Corlett team took on the role of ‘Design and Build Principal Contractor’ for a new Home Bargains store, a unique project full of challenges and opportunities.
The Foregate Street’s store is designated within a conservation area, coming with plenty of intricacies for the team to adhere on specific planning conditions, especially regarding material selection. The historical significance of the site also amplified interest in its archaeology.
Successfully navigating all of these factors demanded meticulous planning. It’s a great example of Krol Corlett’s ability to meet stringent planning and conservation requirements.
Challenges
The new store, built with steel framing, facing brick, a Kingspan LP roof and symphonic drainage, was designed on piled foundations and a suspended slab to protect archaeological layers.
Managing six Party Wall Agreements added complexity, each requiring tailored oversight from PW Surveyors, alongside input from the Employer’s Agent, technical advisors, and Novated Consultants.
Delays arose from deconstructing existing buildings, prompting extra surveys and negotiations. Weekly meetings kept PWAs aligned with design needs while safeguarding neighbouring structures.
Below-ground drainage was amended to respect archaeology and existing discharge points, while SPEN’s vibration monitoring was managed effectively with predefined alert triggers.
Archaeological Innovation
Expecting archaeological treasures, we set a disturbance limit, and innovated with CFA piling and a reinforced slab.
An archaeology consultant was bought in to oversee the substructure work, minimising disruption and preserving findings.
Management included daily briefings, an adaptable workforce, thorough record-keeping and weekly meetings.
A collaborative approach was praised by TJM, the Employer’s Agent, and CWaC Lead Archaeologists.
Conservation and Planning
To compliment Chester’s historical architecture, the new store prioritised facing brickwork, which constitutes more than 75% of the elevation.
Facing challenges of limited brick options, it was important for the Krol Corlett team to collaborate transparently with CWaC Planning and Conservation Officers, Novated Architect and Technical Advisors. Despite lead time constraints and scarce stock, a suitable brick was selected through open and honest discussions.
This collaborative approach extended to special bricks and slates, earning praise from CWaC’s Planning Officer for our refreshing cultural behaviours.
We worked closely with Novated Design Consultants in bi-weekly Design Team Meetings (DTMs) to ensure a smooth design progression, and were able to address conflicts between signage and roller shutter installations, introducing an alternative design adopted in other Home Bargains stores.