Keltbray’s Redevelopment of Oval Village Receives Recognition for Best Sustainable Brownfield/Urban Regeneration/Infrastructure Scheme
Keltbray, a leading UK specialist construction engineering and infrastructure solutions business has been selected as a finalist for a Brownfield Award. The recognition comes in the category of Best Sustainable Brownfield/Urban Regeneration/Infrastructure Scheme for Keltbray’s work on the Oval Village project in South London.
The project, carried out in collaboration with Berkeley Group, Waterman, and our in-house design consultancy Wentworth House Partnership, involves the redevelopment of a former gasholder site and the preservation of the iconic Grade II listed Gasholder No.1.
Remediating Historical Contamination: A Sustainable Urban Regeneration
The Oval Village project presented unique challenges due to widespread ground contamination and in-ground obstructions resulting from its historical use by the gas industry.
Keltbray, with the expertise of Wentworth House Partnership, undertook large-scale remediation and enabling works to prepare the site for the proposed redevelopment. The team also navigated planning restrictions and addressed extensive material and waste logistics, ensuring the successful transformation of the site into a sustainable and vibrant community hub.
Embracing Sustainability and Biodiversity
Beyond the brownfield remediation efforts, the Oval Village project showcases an unwavering commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
The iconic steel frame of the Gasholder No.1 was retained and integrated into the new design, symbolising the project’s dedication to preserving historical heritage while embracing modern urban living.
The development’s design also incorporates green elements, such as photovoltaic electricity generation in energy-efficient homes, nearly 6,000m² of living roofs, and 2,000 secure cycle storage facilities.
Enhancing Local Living and Biodiversity Net Gain
Upon completion, the Oval Village will provide 1,344 homes, including 425 classified as affordable housing, commercial office spaces accommodating over 1,000 jobs, and small retail spaces serving the local community.
The development, located on one of the few remaining brownfield sites in Zone 1, will yield a biodiversity net gain of over 150%, boasting 0.5 hectares of publicly accessible green space that fosters a thriving ecosystem and supports the local wildlife.
Leading the Charge in Waste Reduction
The Oval Village project exemplifies Keltbray’s commitment to circularity and waste reduction. Utilising our waste transfer facility in Plaistow Wharf, Keltbray diverted an impressive 99.9% of non-hazardous waste from landfill across the group’s operations in 2022.
Moreover, the project showcased exemplary reuse practices, incorporating 18,000m³ of remediated soils and repurposing the majority of the 100,000 tonnes of basement void materials offsite.
Preserving History: The Oval Gasworks
The Oval Village site holds significant historical importance, with the first gasholders constructed in 1847. The preservation of Gasholder No.1, originally built in 1854, serves as a testament to the project’s historical significance.
Recognising Excellence at the Brownfield Awards
The winners of the Brownfield Awards will be announced during the awards ceremony on November 2nd at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Keltbray is honoured to be shortlisted for this award and remains dedicated to advancing sustainable urban regeneration and fostering vibrant communities.
Find the comprehensive shortlist of nominees here.
Media Enquiries
Philip Pashley, Group Proposals and Communications Director
Keltbray Group
Tel: 020 7643 1000
Email: [email protected]
Notes for Editors
About Keltbray
Keltbray is a leading UK specialist construction engineering and infrastructure solutions business, offering a uniquely integrated delivery capability spanning key phases of the client value chain – design management, civil engineering, geotechnical, construction waste management, demolition, and decommissioning, piling and reinforced concrete structures, remediation, rail infrastructure, power distribution, transmission and substations, and renewable energy services.
The company was founded in 1976 and is privately owned, directly employs over 2,000 people, and is a key delivery partner to prestigious public and private sector customers, contributing to the development and maintenance of Britain’s rapidly changing economic and social infrastructure.
Keltbray provides certainty of delivery to meet the exacting needs of diverse and complex projects in complex, safety-critical markets. Its professionally accredited teams take pride in delivering safely and sustainably to specification, on time, to budget, and with care for the environment and our communities.
