Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens March 2022

The water feature at Courtyard Gardens has an industrial finish, in recognition of the gas holder that once sat on the site for over 50 years. To see how the site once looked go back to the beginning of these blogs to January 2018.

Welcome to Blog number 27 about my March visit to Courtyard Gardens here in Oxted, built on the former gasholder site now called Eden Place.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder, which started in January 2019, right through to the completion this month, of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group .

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted, just opposite Eden Place – the new name of the road Courtyard Gardens sits in.

Block A on the right with Block B adjoining back centre and Block C on the left. Block A is Atkinson House, Block B is Beecham House and Block C is Hardwick House.

The photographs in the galleries below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

The gasholder taken on 5 March 2018

Same view taken 9 March 2022 - Hardwick House (Block C)

Hardwick House - Block C completed. The car park entrance on the right of the front door is to Beecham House - Block B car park.

The steps from the entrance up to the gardens and Beecham House- Block B front door.

The pathway between Blocks C (left) and Block B (right).

Beecham House - Block B

Hardwick House - Block C.

The pathway between Beecham House - Block B on the left and Hardwick House - Block C on the right looking towards Atkinson House - Block A.

A view of where the office cabins once sat, next to Hardwick House - Block C.

The side of Hardwick House - Block C.

The car park beneath Block C Harwick House with bicycle stand.

A view from an apartment in Hardwick House - Block C.

A finished kitchen in Harwick House - Block C.

A finished bathroom in Hardwick House - Block C.

The car park for Beecham House Block B is accessed to the right of Hardwick House - Block C’s front door.

Car Park Block B

A finished penthouse terrace.

The life in Hardwick House - Block C.

A corridor in Hardwick House - Block C.

The finished entrance hall in Hardwick House - Block C.

Photograph taken 17 August 2020 the same viewpoint as below

Photograph taken 9 March 2022 the same view point as above

I hope you have enjoyed following the progress from start to finish of Courtyard Garden (Eden Place) here in Oxted?

It has been a real honour and education to have been given access to document to process for posterity.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive, please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

To read the blog from January 2022 please click here.

To read previous blogs these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 26 previous blogs in consecutive order.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too. There are a few remaining apartments in Block C, Hardwick House if you are looking to make a purchase.

Thank you

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens July 2021

Courtyard Gardens – Block B on the left and Block A on the right.

Welcome to blog number 22 about my July site visit to Courtyard Gardens in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group.

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted, just opposite the development.

Block A on the right with Block B adjoining back centre and Block C on the left. Block A is Atkinson House, Block B is Beecham House and Block C is Hardwick House.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 15th July (crane dismantling from a distance) and 21st July 2021 onsite showing the progress to date.

The photographs below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

A view from Ellice Road car park showing the dismantling of the crane.

Each section carefully lifted away.

Segments of the crane transported away from the site

After Crane removal – view from Ellice Road car park, showing the top of Block C

A view of Block C from what will be the entrance off Johnsdale.

This is where the crane once sat, bolted to firm foundations.

Close up of where the crane was bolted.

Car park CBlock B level 00

Take a look at Oxted town and all it has to offer, hear what some of the local traders have to say, including me!

It’s interesting to witness the various stages of the building process and how the different trades work together – from electricians, bricklayers, landscapers, plumbers, tilers and so many more.

At the time of my visit they were preparing for the tower crane concrete infill works to the ground and first floor slabs, whilst the waterproofing and landscaping continued on the podium. Final decorations were underway to Block B and internals continued in Block C.

Stairwell in Block B

Kitchen in an apartment in Block B

Bedroom in Block B

Fitted wardrobes and dressing area in master bedroom Block B

Electrical cables in a corridor riser, Block B

Kitchen in Block B nearing completion

Spacious cupboard in an apartment in a hallway in Block B

Living room in Block B leading onto a terrace via the patio doors

Family bathroom in Block B

Elevator in Block B

Block C with landscaping taking shape in the foreground.

The hoist outside Block C

Landscaping in front of Blocks A and B

A view from an apartment in Block B towards the entrance of Block A - Atkinson House.

Brickwork on Block C

Preparing the steel edging of the pathways outside Block B

Finishing touches to the doorway of Block B Beecham House

Porticos at the Entrance to Block A –  Atkinson House

A close-up of the car park entrance to Block A with apartments above

From the end of Block B looking towards Block A

Final surface preparation shows the installing of the concrete haunching to the steel edging

The last crane was removed from the site on 15 July, this is where it once stood

A terrace to an apartment in Block B

A fast battery charging unit for work tools

The side of Block C from behind the existing flats at the back of Station Road East

A lovely navy kitchen in open plan living area in Block B

I hope you are enjoying seeing and learning about the progress of the development, I know I am.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity, please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

To read the blog from June 2021 please click here.

To read previous blogs, these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 21 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back in September to photograph the progress as we edge closer to completion.

Thank you

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens May 2021

A view from the main entrance with Block A on the right and Block B under construction on the left.

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted, just opposite the development.

Block A on the right with Block B adjoining back centre and Block C on the left.

Block A is Atkinson House, Block B is Beecham House and Block C is Hardwick House.

Welcome to blog number 20 about my May site visit to Courtyard Gardens here in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 19 May 2021 showing the progress to date. I photographed the final preparations on some of the apartments as they get ready to welcome their new residents during June into Block A now know as Atkinson House.

The photographs below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

The entrance to Block C showing Block C. This used to be the entrance to the trader’s car park.

The finished paved forecourt with parking and electric charging points for cars.

One of the electric charging points for cars.

The gated entrance to the car park for Block A giving each apartment space to park.

White lining in car park A giving a generous parking space for each vehicle.

The maintenance walkway at the side of the car park showing the grills for ventilation.

Looking back to Block C from the gated car park entrance at Block A.

The official name of Block A is Atkinson House.

Each apartment has its own outdoor space. These balconies are from Block A.

Maintenance pathway at the side of Block A.

As always I am shown around the site by Ness Kingham, Assitant site Manager who tells me the current state of play as below is her update of the day.

Final works and snagging were being undertaken internally and to terraces of Block A, in preparation for the handover of the block and first legal completions at the start of June. White lining was underway within the car park, and cycle racks and storage lockers were being installed. Landscaping was progressing outside of the block to be able to hand over a section of the gardens to residents. The brickwork was up to the 5th floor on Block B, whilst on Block C the mansard roof was being installed, scaffold erection had recently completed, and brickwork was underway to the basement levels. Internals were progressing within both Blocks B & C.

The terrace area next to a penthouse apartment in Block A with spectacular views.

Slate tiles finish the exterior of this penthouse apartment in Block A showing doors to the spacious terrace.

Views to the open countryside.

The views of the North Downs and beyond from a penthouse apartment in Block A.

The hoist that carries materials and appliances to Block C.

Looking out from Block A over the main entrance towards Block C on the left and Block B on the right.

Landscaping plants and grasses ready for planting.

Another view from a penthouse terrace in Block A looking over at Block B on the right and Block C on the left.

Stones for drainage under the flooring of a penthouse terrace.

I always find my visits so interesting, there is so much to look at and absorb – from the variety of contractors involved to just how meticulous St William is to meet exacting standards for the final finish. On this visit there were 150 people working onsite.

Further photographs show how the development is slowly coming together with Blocks B & C due for completion later in 2021.

A kitchen in a three-bed apartment.

Another view of a kitchen in a three-bed apartment.

The living room in a three-bed apartment nearing completion.

A shower room nearing completion.

Hallway showing coat cupboard and utility cupboard nearing completion.

Kitchen and living area in an apartment nearing completion.

Entrance to Atkinson House almost ready for the new residents.

A first floor spacious terrace under construction.

From the entrance looking towards Blocks A (right) and B (left).

Car park beneath Block B.

A penthouse in Block C under construction.

The view from a penthouse towards the top of Snatts Hill. The top of the spire at St Michael’s can be seen to the right.

Inside Block C looking towards Blocks B & A.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing and learning about the progress of the development as much as I have.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity.

To read the blog from April please click here and to read previous blogs, these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 19 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back at the end of June to photograph the progress to share.

Thank you.

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens Build - December 2019

Welcome to my December blog here at Courtyard Gardens in Oxted the former site of the gasholder which was demolished earlier this year.

This is blog number 12 and forms part of a series of monthly visits until completion of all 111 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses in Summer 2021.

As mentioned in previous blogs I have been given kind permission by St William part of the Berkeley Group to photographically document the progress. I had my business premises on Station Road East for 23 years until I relocated in August this year, 2019, to work remotely. I was at number 83 Station Road East which backs onto the site, on the far left of the picture below. When I opened my business in early 1997 there was talk about the gasholder being demolished which was on and off for years, that was until it became a reality. It was because of this that I have made it my mission to take onboard the photographing on a monthly basis for posterity. Little did I know when I started this process that I would learn so much first hand about the building process and look forward to learning more whilst photographing onsite.

The photographs from my visit this month were taken on Tuesday 10 December, whilst I was accompanied by Assistant Site Manager Ness Kingham, my thanks go to her and all the other friendly people onsite who make me feel most welcome each time I visit.

Looking down the site over the sheet piling where Block A will be built.

All of the photographs have captions on which tell you what was happening at the time of my visit. On this particular occasion they were completing the piling process and preparing the base for the delivery of a second crane. The two cranes will be used to move deliveries from different parts of the site with minimum disruption and ease.

The entrance in Station Road East to the site.

A view looking down towards Johnsdale. The underground car park foundations are in place. The road in the foreground will be one of the two entrances to Courtyards Gardens. Water is being swept away as deliveries arrive.

The delivery of diesel is a regular occurence to keep the machinery in constant working order.

This area is used to make the steel cages using rebars.

This area has been prepared for the insertion of the steel cage, in preparation for the delivery of the second crane.

Temporary safety steps are used at strategic points around the site for ease of access.

One of the two piling rigs with the first crane visible behind it.

This rig is ready to be inserted and anchored within the steel cage made for the second crane to be bolted to. This is all below ground and when covered with concrete will not be visible other than the anchor points.

All the work that has taken place this year was firstly to demolish the gasholder which stood in place for 50 years and to prepare the foundations which have taken up until now. In the new year the above ground building works will commence on Block A. As mentioned in previous blogs there will be three Blocks, A, B and C.

To read the previous 11 blogs please follow this link to the Blogs part of the website.

This cage made onsite is used specifically to go in the pit as part of the anchor station for the arrival of a second crane.

This is where the steel cages are made onsite using rebars. Rebar is added to concrete to provide tensile strength.

The cages are made to order depending on their use onsite.

CCTV is used around the site for security.

A look through the safety barriers at the piling rig and crane. The two piling rigs are responsible for the insertion of the 401 piles drilled into the ground.

The site from the top corner of the former Johnsdale car park.

This is where the steel ‘cages’ are made for the piling.

Safety wear as shown here is compulsory. If it is raining and frosty, safety glasses can be removed when necessary so the rain and condensation on the glasses are not hazardous.

To view a model of the finished development head on over to Robert Leech Estate Agents in Station Road East, Oxted. It really is fascinating to see how this once forgotten area will be transformed to enhance the town.

This area will become one of the underground carparks. The blue tubes visible through the fence in the centre foreground is where surplus water is collected from the water table and drained away via the processing plant.

The two piling rigs and the crane. The crane will be used to move deliveries efficiently from one part of the site to the other.

Information about the crane.

To get to the work platform this workman has to climb 30 metres. The ladders are divided into sections with a safety platform separating each one.

With careful guidance, the cage is lifted in preparation for insertion in the concrete laid pit.

Lots of faces at the window of the onsite office to watch the insertion of the steel cage in the pit which sits at the front of the cabins.

It takes precision and guidance to position the cage in the pit over the steel rods.

Gently does it over the four corners.

It has to be precise, the steel rods need to be in the correct place during insertion of the cage.

The people in the orange hats are slingers who are responsible for directing any lifting.

The next stage is to insert the crane anchor bolts, followed by more carefully-built rebar cages, before filling the base with concrete.

Each person working on the development has a specific role which is intrinsic to the progress, I think this really is team work at its very best, with strict time frames and coordination in place. It never ceases to amaze me how much is actually involved, My next visit will be taking place at the end of January.

Once the cage is securely in place the chains that attach it to the machinery are unclipped.

Job done with careful precision.

A row of piles, covered with protective caps, ready for the next stage.

Well that’s a wrap for this year at Courtyard Gardens, I’ll be back at the end of January with more progress photographs. In 2020 so much more will be taking place above ground with Block A completed in the autumn, can’t wait to watch it go up!

In the meantime have a fabulous Christmas.

Bye for now…

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens Build - August 2019

Safety barriers above the sheet piling at the Courtyard Gardens Site, Oxted.

Welcome to my August blog about the progress of the St William, Courtyard Gardens development here in Oxted for 111 luxury apartments.

This should have been published over a week ago but due to my business premises relocation this has taken a back seat and now that the holiday period is over I thought it best to publish it now when you have more time to read it as well.

The photographs below tell you more about the story with the captions on each image.

Ground clearance for the underground car park. The green tanks on the right are part of the water purification process.

The tanks are part of the water purification process in the corner of the site behind the shops in Station Road East.

Sheet piling inserted and ready for the next stage.

Looking down the site towards the former Johnsdale car park.

Looking over the top of the sheet piling on the perimeter of the site. This gives you an idea of the height of the sheet piling as it protrudes above ground level. Sheets are supplied in different lengths.

Every time I return to the site I can see the progress that has been made and this month was no exception. It was clear to see all the sheet piling had been inserted and the ground had been excavated for the underground car park to take shape. There was also still evidence of the rim of the demolished gasholder, which was interesting to see.

Looking towards what will be the underground car park.

Sheet piling ready for the next process to take place, update to follow on the next blog.

This shows you how high some of the sheet piling is as engineers tower over and discuss the progress.

Safety walkways for site managers, engineers and others to access the site within carefully contained boundaries.

Water that collects at the lowest point of the site is pumped into three tanks that take care of the water purification process, this is then pumped up to the top of the site to a holding tank for disposing of.

Walk ways over looking the excavation of the underground car park.

This blog is the eighth one in the series, the first one was published in January when the demolition of the gasholder started to take place. To follow the story of the progress and to read the previous blogs please follow this link to the Blog pages on the website and select the ones you would like to read.

Walkways around the site give access to capture the progess.

A corner of the underground car park.

Any hardcore remaining on site from the demolition of the gasholder is crushed and reused where possible.

The underground car park area is prepared for the next stage of the building process, it looks vast from this angle.

Machinery used to bring in hardcore and remove any that isn’t suitable is taken away for recycling.

A carefully designed plan is in place to ensure the arrival and departure of site machinery and vehicles is kept to a minimum to reduce any potential high street disruption.

Monitors to measure vibration to ensure any noise does not go over a certain level.

Three separate blocks are being built with an underground car park - Blocks A, B, and C. To see a model of the finished development call into the offices of Robert Leech Estate Agents in Oxted and opposite my former studio in Station Road East, it’s well worth a visit, it’s an interactive model, not quite one you can walk into but it does tell you a lot about each of the flats available to purchase.

Water is intermittently sprayed with the smell of freshly ironed cotton sheets to dissipate any odours.

Several of these water pipes are positioned on the fence behind the houses in Johnsdale to emit sprays of scented water, it really does smell of freshly ironed cotton sheets.

A view from the former Johnsdale car park looking up the site towards the porta cabin offices.

The remains of the former gasholder base.

Behind the houses in Johnsdale.

I always have a sense of wonderment when I photograph on site, it’s the sheer scale of the development, although Ness Kingham the Site Manager who accompanies me during the visits, assures me this is one of the smaller developments compared to the vast ones they work on in London.

Fascinating to watch all the elements slowly come together. My visit this month took place on Tuesday 20 August 2019 as a point of reference.

The site viewed from the flats behind the shops in Station Road East, gives a different view point.

A view of the outline of the site from the same spot each month.

Check out the July blog to see the progress from last month and previous months too.

If you would like to keep in touch with my monthly blog about the progress of Courtyard Gardens feel free to click on the ‘subscribe to our newsletter’ button below for our monthly round- up newsletters.

I’ll be back later this month with the September update progress of the site.

Thanks for reading.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Oxted Gasholder April 2019 - Going, Going, Gone!

Welcome to my fourth blog about the demolition of the gas holder that I’m photographing for posterity and to satisfy my own curiosity.

Since I last wrote on 15th March a lot has happened at the demolition site and the gas holder, as you can see has gone for good!

As expected, once the roof was dismantled early last month as described in my previous blog, the next stage to remove the surround of 9 rings high took less time as a cherry picker was used with an operative working to cut away until it was at a manageable height for the next stage to take place.

The final rings of the structure came down very fast indeed with the help of a very experienced operator who, with much precision controlled a cutting machine, which resembled a pre-historic creature that chomped its way through the steel, in what appeared to be an effortless operation.

We experienced much rumbling here at the studio which sent me running with my cameras in hand to capture some of the final stages which happened within 3 days at the end of March.

I’m going to leave the photographs to do the talking as they show the final stages of the demolition process.

It really was a matter of going, going, gone and for good!

The below sequence is from the top of Snatts Hill.

Ring by ring it's coming down!

Almost there!

What's behind it?

Sad to see it go?

Almost gone...

Gone! You can see the train station platform in the distance.

Now that the demolition process is nearing completion, next month in May, St William, the contractors will take their positions on-site to put in place the start of the building process for 111 luxury - 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses.

You can see a very impressive model of the housing development at Robert Leech Estate Agents opposite the studio, it really is worth taking a look if you are keen to buy one or are just curious to know more.

The below sequence looking from a window at Priory House Dental Practice.

The first incision splits the circle.

The first piece disappeared in no time.

Cutting the vertical posts releases the sides.

Within a few seconds if was down.

It was very noisy!

I didn't want to miss a second of this moment.

Cutting each vertical post allows more movement.

It crumbled like a piece of, well I suppose steel, it was very graceful.

From Station Road East, between Carpet Right and Gloss.

Ring by ring it was coming down.

It's been here so long what will it look like when it's gone.

It's shrinking...

Workmen arrive to put the foundations in for the utilities.

How come we are noticing it so much more now that it's going?

Almost there...

The last bit...

Vanished!

A look on-site.

This cutter resembles a pre-historic creature, don't you agree?

When the first pieces of steel are dropped in here it sounds like they are falling into a bottomless pit as the sound vibrates around the site.

Two machines work in unison cutting and picking up the pieces for recycling.

Filled and ready to go including gas canisters that have been on-site for decades.

Off the container goes for recycling...

The site is vast, I felt privileged to be given access to capture images like this one. The pieces of steel that fell in the pit are almost cleared.

Various viewpoints.

An operative in a cherry picker is used to cut away the sides.

A view from Johnsdale.

From Ellice Road car park.

Before and...

...after!

I use to park my car here at the foot of the gas holder.

Taken on 27 March 2019.

Introducing the utilities.

Photographed on 11th April 2019.

It really has been a captivating and mesmerising experience photographing the process so far from various viewpoints. The photographs I have shared are just a small selection from a greater number that I intend to share at a later date.

I am going to be continuing the story over the next two years during construction and the completion of Courtyard Gardens, a wonderful new addition to our unique town - Oxted.

I hope this glimpse has taken you on an insightful historical journey.

If you would like to subscribe to my monthly round-up newsletters where these blogs will feature, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to add your contact details on the ‘Subscribe to Our Newsletter’ button.

If you missed the previous 3 newsletters you can see them here on the blog page of the website.

In the meantime enjoy the weekend and I’ll be back next month with the next instalment.

Bye for now…

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.