Soundwell College

Weaver Demolition was appointed to provide a full enabling and demolition package at the former Soundwell College site in Bristol. The works were designed to clear redundant buildings, remove hazardous materials, and prepare the site for redevelopment into Soundwell Academy — a new school scheduled to open in 2023. The project required expertise across asbestos removal, structural demolition, underground service decontamination, and material recycling, all delivered within a tight programme to meet the client’s redevelopment goals.

Key facts

Sector:

Education

Timeline:

6 Months (commencing August 2020)

Location:

Soundwell College, Bristol

Services:

Demolition, Strip-out, Asbestos Removal, Crushing & Screening

History

Soundwell College was established in the mid-20th century as part of Bristol’s further education provision. For decades it trained generations of students in a range of technical and vocational subjects, supporting the city’s industrial and commercial growth. Over time, the campus became outdated and surplus to requirements, leading to its closure and merger with other education sites. The redevelopment of the college into Soundwell Academy represents the site’s next chapter, ensuring that it continues to serve the community through modern educational facilities.

Project Overview

Weaver Demolition’s works encompassed a broad package of enabling activities:

  • Asbestos Removal: delivered both licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal across the site, ensuring a safe working environment and compliance with regulations.
  • Mechanical Services Purge: Legacy mechanical systems were drained and purged to eliminate risks before demolition commenced.
  • Underground Duct Decontamination: An undocumented network of service ducts was discovered and fully decontaminated, highlighting Weaver’s adaptability in dealing with unexpected site conditions.
  • Demolition of Structures: A mixture of construction types — including brick, concrete, and lightweight structures — were carefully demolished, with unsafe areas requiring controlled methods and, in some instances, hand demolition.
  • Soft Strip and Alterations: Retained buildings underwent internal strip-out and structural reconfiguration, including the formation of new openings up to 4 metres wide, to support the academy’s planned layout.
  • On-Site Crushing: Hardcore and demolition arisings were crushed and reused to create engineered levels for a new artificial sports pitch, reducing waste and supporting sustainable development.

Project Requirements

The client’s key requirements included:

  • Comprehensive enabling package: asbestos removal, demolition, and site preparation under one contractor.
  • Flexibility: ability to address undocumented and unexpected site conditions such as the underground duct network.
  • Safety and compliance: rigorous adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards across all works.
  • Programme delivery: completing all tasks within the 6-month window to enable subsequent construction phases to commence on schedule.

Environmental Impact

Weaver placed a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact and maximising resource efficiency:

  • Material Reuse: On-site crushing of arisings eliminated unnecessary vehicle movements and reduced the need for imported aggregate.
  • Waste Segregation: Effective separation of demolition materials maximised recycling streams and diverted waste from landfill.
  • Sustainable Sports Facility: Repurposing hardcore for the sports pitch sub-base supported long-term community benefit from materials originally part of the college buildings.

Key Benefits to the Client

The project delivered multiple advantages:

  • Integrated service delivery, reducing the need for multiple subcontractors.
  • Cost and time efficiencies achieved through on-site material reuse and flexible management of unforeseen conditions.
  • Safe and compliant execution of asbestos removal and demolition, providing the client with confidence and assurance.
  • Construction-ready site prepared to the required specification, enabling seamless transition to the next development phase.

Project Summary

Over a 6-month programme, Weaver Demolition successfully cleared and prepared the former Soundwell College site for its transformation into Soundwell Academy. The works involved asbestos removal, duct decontamination, structural demolition, internal alterations, and sustainable on-site crushing of materials for reuse. By combining technical expertise with flexibility and environmental responsibility, Weaver delivered a safe, efficient, and value-driven solution. The project ensures that the site — once home to generations of students — will continue to serve Bristol’s community as a modern academy for years to come.

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