Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens February 2020

My site visit to Courtyard Gardens on 25 February proved to be relatively dry considering it had been the wettest February on record. I noticed a significant difference this month from my previous January visit, concrete underground car park floors are starting to appear and exterior walls taking shape.

This is blog number 14 and forms part of a series of monthly visits until completion of all 111 high-end one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses in Summer 2021, by St Willam part of the Berkeley Group.

The photographs that follow have captions to tell you more about the process.

Carpark floors and walls taking shape.

From previous blogs I’m sure you are aware of how the site is changing. On this particular visit I noticed the most significant change because of how much work has, and is, taking place above ground and the number of workmen on site.

Block A is taking shape with the concrete carpark floor nearing completion.

Carpark concrete walls taking shape.

The carpark wall being formed. Showing the completed concrete floor.

From small skips to other building materials that aren’t packaged are moved across the site by crane.

Overlooking Block C carpark.

Two cranes make the move of a foul pump chamber quick and efficient from one end of the site to the other.

Placement of a foul pump chamber under carpark in Block C.

Foul pump chamber carefully lowered in place.

Block C lift core is complete, ready to be integrated with the basement slab.

Regular deliveries of freshly mixed concrete for immediate use.

It is now becoming clear exactly where Blocks A, B and C are positioned as the outlines of buildings take shape.

Behind Oxted railway station, Block A.

Behind the shops in Station Road East, the carparks are taking shape.

Lowering the foul pump chamber in place.

Carpark walls ready for filling with concrete.

Building the structure for the walls.

Four piles excavated in preparation for forming a pile cap.

Block A carpark taking shape from a different viewpoint.

Carpark walls for Block B.

Precision engineering for the correct alignment of the buildings.

Careful lowering of materials takes precision steering above and below ground.

Lowering of materials. Viewpoint behind the lower end of Station Road East.

The cab for the crane operator.

Block C carpark showing piling caps ready for the next stage.

This ongoing process of visiting the site every month, from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019 to now has given me a real sense of appreciation as to what goes into building a development such as this.

I have learnt so much about the different processes, including the different skills, the architectural plans, the materials, the site management and how the weather plays a part as to how the site is managed. I am always excited to see the changes from month to month and am thankful to St William, for giving me the access to capture the changing town for posterity.

Looking up at one of the two cranes.

Cutting materials to size.

Lots of activity on site this month.

Carpark walls under construction.

The portacabins in the distance are also a hive of activity for site management.

Top of the rebars on the Block C lift core ready to be integrated with the basement slab.

Piling caps.

Thanks for reading I’ll be back in April with an update about my March visit. To read the other blogs about Courtyard Gardens please click here.

This link to my January visit to the site shows a display model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents just opposite the building works, this is where the buildings are brought to life and well worth a visit, you won’t be disappointed.

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.

Everything You Need Is Here

As we welcome 2020 and a new decade it's the perfect time to refresh your headshot, book your family photo-shoot, sort out your picture framing, learn how to use your new camera or one that has been gathering dust for a few years and get up to date photographs of your home & garden or business premises. It only takes one phone call 01883 722282.

What could be easier?

Simply open the interactive PDF below and click on the links or photographs to learn more.

…it’s not too early to start thinking about a project for a Christmas gift or special occasion in 2020, I’m always happy to discuss new ideas.

Be lovely to hear from you, after all, everything you need is here…

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 - October 2019

Steel rebars that are used with the coiled steel to make the ‘cages’ to go in the drilled holes.

The coiled steel for making the ‘cages’ with the steel rebars that go in the drilled holes.

A view of the two machines that work together during the drilling process on the piling mat. The piling rig and the excavator.

The last remains of ironwork from the former gasholder which is sent away for recycling.

Netting to prevent any concrete splashing over the fence onto the back of the neighbouring premises.

The coiled steel ready for making the ‘cages’ with.

The triangular marker called a ‘witches hat’ shows where the piling has taken place ready for the next stage of the build process.

Welcome to my October blog (number 10) about the construction process at Courtyard Gardens, the former gas holder site here in Oxted.

Regular readers will be aware that I have taken on this personal project to visually document the construction process from the demolition of the gasholder back in January to completion in summer 2021.

My monthly visits to the site are accompanied by Ness Kingham, Assistant Site Manager for St William part of the Berkeley Group, who shows and tells me more about the progress every time. I am always in awe of the vastness of the development and all the processes that are involved, it looked so small when it was overgrown with trees surrounding the gasholder.

These photographs with descriptions on each were photographed on 22 October 2019.

The site from the top corner nearest the railway station, looking down towards the former Johnsdale car park.

During this visit, the completion of the piling was well underway, with over 300 holes drilled by the auger, the drill attachment on the piling rig. It was interesting to watch the final few holes being drilled and filled with the basket type ‘cage’ and concrete. When the process is complete it is marked with a triangular ‘witches hat’ during the drying process so it is easy to identify its location.

A completed hole, drilled with the steel ‘cage’ inserted and filled with concrete, takes less than 20 minutes.

The positioning of the steel work for the making of the ‘cages. On the right of the picture completed ‘cages’ for inserting into the hole.

Photographed from the narrow walkway on the perimeter of the site looking through the protective barriers. On the right the top of the sheet piling is visible at ground level.

A diagram of the site and positioning of Blocks A, B and C.

The foreground is where the gasholder base was placed, there no longer is any evidence of the remains of the base or the foundations, leaving it clear for levelling.

Leveling of the surface ready for the piling rig to take its position on a piling mat.

The two green electricity generators on the right, that the cabling will be connected to. The black tubing in the front of them is visible and will be used underground to pass the electricity cables through.

The black tubing that is visible from under the earth will house cables to be connected to the main source of power, a network of these are taking shape in the foundations.

Blocks A will sit in this area.

This area is the former Johnsdale car park and I’m standing on the spot I use to park my car on. Earth is deposited to raise the level.

Steel work left from the demolition and excavation of the gasholder is cleared.

Looking up to the upper level where Block A will be built.

The sheet piling in the foreground in preparation for the underground car park. The portacabin offices behind this will be moved to make way for Block A to be built.

Health and Safety barriers are placed above the sheet piling to prevent any accidents because of the different heights at ground level.

An excavator picks up one of the steel beams as if it were a tiny toothpick, it happened with such precision.

Leveling of earth.

A view between the sheet piling and the safety fence, looking over the building site towards the back of Station Road East.

The top corner of the site shows the surface is level.

This is where blocks A will be built.

The positioning of the steel rebars that form part of the ‘cages’.

Sheet piling above ground level with cable.

You have to keep well away from the works.

Around the perimeter of the site is a narrow walkway to enable access from the top to the bottom.

The site has two entrances which enables carefully planned site traffic to enter and exit at strategic times. These entrances are independent of each other, you can only exit from the one you entered, this will remain the same for the residents of Courtyard Gardens.

Concrete deposited in preparation for the foundations to sit.

Coiled steel to form the ‘cages’, part of the piling process.

The auger digs deep into the ground to excavate the earth for foundations to be inserted.

Protective wear must be worn at all times on site.

A view from the office portacabin looking down the site.

Well, that’s it for the October edition of my blogs, I’ll be back next month with an update from my November site visit, I think it will start to look very different with works more visible above ground level.

To read my previous 9 blogs this link takes you to the Blog Page on the website.

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 - September 2019

On the left the auger on the piling rig that drills out the ground to make way for the concrete.

Welcome to my September blog about the St William (part of the Berekeley Group), housing development for 111 luxury apartments at the former gasholder site here in Oxted.

Regular readers of my blogs will be aware that since January this year I have been photographing the demolition of the gasholder and the start of the building process to visually document the history for posterity, due for completion summer 2021.

Each month I am given access to the site, accompanied by Assistant Site Manager, Ness Kingham who escorts me and tells me about the progress since my last visit. I am always fascinated by the processes and developments, I have learnt so much!

This is just the beginning of the building process of 3 blocks - A, B and C where the sheet piling has taken place and bearing piles on block C on the former Johnsdale car park are complete.

Over 5500m3 of soil has been removed from the site to date, that’s the equivalent volume of more than two Olympic sized swimming pools! The removal of the contaminated earth resulting from the former gasworks is also complete.

The photographs on this blog were taken on Monday 16 September 2019 and tell the story with captions on each image. I have watched an auger drill into the ground and deposit concrete for the bearing piles to take place, read on to find out more.

The top of site that sits at the back of the railway station.

The top of the site behind the railway tracks.

The remains of the base wall of one of the 3 gasholders that once sat on this site.

Hardcore and metal work from the demolition of the gasholder in January.

Excavation preparing for the groundworks.

The remains of the base of the rim of the gasholder that was demolished in January. This continues to be removed and crushed to form the remaining piling mats.

Each image has a caption on describing the processes.

The top of sheet piling showing the joining of one to the other.

Site inspection to locate the next point for the piling rig to drill approximately 15 metres into the ground.

A brush at the side of the piling rig removes excess earth from the auger to prevent build-up of debris.

The auger of the piling rig takes away the earth in preparation for the concrete to be filled in the cavity.

This agitator mixer prepares the concrete for the piling rig to deposit in the cavity via a hose system.

The shute system that delivers the concrete via a hose to the piling rig.

The hose that delivers the concrete from the mixer to the piling rig.

The concrete is deposited into the space the auger has created.

The hose at the top of the piling rig works in unison with the drill (the auger), a swift process in preparation for a metal ‘cage’ to be inserted in the hole.

The piling rig is a fascinating piece of machinery and capable of so much very efficiently.

The piling rig, a machine that drills into the ground and pumps concrete into the space.

Once the concrete is poured into the cavity, a metal ‘cage’ is inserted very swiftly whilst the concrete is fresh which forms the base of the foundations, to support the building works.

The digger machine applies pressure to insert the ‘cage’.

The process happens within a minute or two.

Almost there!

One final push!

The top of the ‘cage’ is exposed so it can be located amongst the others that have been inserted for the next stage to take place.

Excess concrete and earth are scooped away by the digger.

To read previous blogs please click this link, this is blog number 9.

Once the ‘cage’ is inserted the steel rebars (reinforcement bars) are visible so a yellow triangular shape is placed above it to identify where the foundation sits.

The digger scoops away the excess concrete from the surface.

A yellow triangle shape is placed on the metal rods to identify where the foundation sits.

A view looking up the site where Block A will be built.

The entrance to where the former Johnsdale car park once was. This will become the entrance to Block C.

A view from the top of the site office porta cabins, looking down towards Johnsdale.

The three water tanks process the excess rainwater that is collected at the base of the site to a filtration and purifying system via a hose. You can see the sheet piling in this picture too.

A view from behind the piling rig and digger where the steel ‘cages’ were inserted. This is where the former Johnsdale car park was once located. You can see the yellow triangle shapes that identify the location of the foundations.

The crusher that separates hardcore from metal and crushes the hardcore to dust via a conveyor belt.

A spray of water settles the dust in one place to prevent it spreading.

The settled dust seen at the centre of the picture and the crushed concrete on the right which is reused onsite to form the remaining piling mats.

The crusher has separated the hardcore into three piles - scrap metal, crushed hardcore and settled dust from the crushed hardcore.

Each time I visit the site so much has changed, it really is beginning to take shape for the next stage of the building process.

The crusher very swiftly via a conveyor belt processes the waste for recycling.

Thank you for reading this recent blog, I hope you have found it interesting. I’ll be back in November with an update from my October visit.

To become a regular subscriber to my monthly round-up blogs simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the ‘subscribe to our newsletter’ button.

See you next month!

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 - July 2019

The sheet piling is taking place for the construction of all 3 Blocks, A, B & C, this photograph was taken on 17 July 2019,

Welcome to this months July blog about the progress at the St William, Courtyard Gardens development here in Oxted, this blog is number 7, previous ones can be found here.

For my regular readers and locals, you will be aware that the gas holder that once stood on this site for over 50 years was deconstructed earlier this year, its removal has made way for the construction of 111 luxury apartments due for completion summer 2021, my regular monthly blogs will keep you updated about the progress over the next two years.

This month I attended the site on July 17th, one of the hottest days of the year and the ground was dry and relatively easy to walk on, which compared to my visit in June when there was so much rain fall it had to be pumped away and the ground was very wet and slippery.

My past visits had all taken place on overcast and cold days, it was interesting to visit on a day when the sun was beating down as it made me realise how exposed the site is and how the people working on site need to have regular breaks and drink lots of water to prevent dehydration, I felt drained and I had only been on site for 45 minutes before 9.30am!

Machinery and operatives working on the insertion of the sheet piling, during July 2019.

The apartments are being built in 3 separate Blocks - A, B & C - Block C which sits north of the former Johnsdale car park has had the sheet piling inserted.

At this moment in time the crane and the rig are being moved to the top section of the site nearer to the railway station to allow for the sheet piling of Blocks A & B, this process will continue until mid August when my next visit is due. A new contractor will be brought in after this to do the foundation bearing piles which will continue through to the end of September.

The photographs I have taken (the sunshine makes all the difference) below show and tell you more…

A view of the top of the site, where Blocks A & B will be built , the railway station sits behind this view

Looking down the site, a hose on the right, is visible to drain out the excess water

Drilling for the sheet piling to be inserted

Block C will be built in this position where the former Johnsdale car park once stood

The edge of the base of the former gas holder is all that remains visible of where it once stood

Monitors to control noise and air pollution and CCTV information

An ‘echo barrier’ to reduce the noise levels

Where possible the concrete broken out from the base of the gasholder has now been crushed and reused on site to form the piling mat, additional crushed concrete is brought in as well.

The Echo Barrier used on site is scientifically developed by leading acoustic engineers, acoustic barriers are the most effective temporary noise control solutions on the market. They typically reduce noise energy by up to 99%, and are lightweight, weatherproof and adaptable to any setting.

Machinery in place to drill and insert the sheet piling for Blocks A & B

Mats in place for the machinery to sit on during the sheet piling process

Machinery in place for sheet piling to Blocks A & B

Crushed concrete ready for distributing to form the piling mat

Machinery maintenance to complete the piling task

A sound or ‘echo barrier’ to reduce the noise from generators and machinery

Top right of this image, the cabins where the project, technical and site managers are based

Piling is an essential part of building works to ensure strong foundations and prevent the risk of any future subsidence or ground movement.

Delivery of crushed concrete for the piling mats

Each piling sheet is lifted by crane from the delivery lorry with the guidance of the engineers to lower in place

Each piling sheet picked up by crane and lowered in a pile on site ready for insertion

A view from the former Johnsdale car park

Crushed concrete is placed at different points on site

This picture gives you an idea of the size of each piling sheet

Sheet piling lowered onto the site

Time delay camera takes an image every 20 minutes

A view of the site from the back of the flats that are above the shops in Station Road East

If you are interested to know more about purchasing an apartment, follow this link to Robert Leech, the Estate Agents for this development by St William, part of the Berkeley Group

To keep up to date with my blogs and to sign-up to my monthly round-up newsletter please scroll down to the ‘Subscribe to Our Newsletter’ button below to enter your contact email address.

I’ll be back next month with further updates, watch this space for further developments.

Thanks for reading, 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.

A view of the sheet piling delivery lorry from Station Road East

A view of the crane unloading the sheet piling from the delivery lorry on site

SMS Creative Photography - Update - Leaving 83 Station Road East, Oxted

Since I was last in touch in June I have been extra busy with commissions, which have taken me away from the studio and delayed my blog writing, this tied in with moving out of my lovely premises at 83 Station Road East, Oxted, means I have pushed back the leaving date to Saturday 10 August 2019.

Firstly, to update you, during the first weekend of July I was away selling my limited edition automotive photographs at the Parallax Art Fair from the exhibition ‘A Drive Down Memory Lane’ which was a great success! I am selling the original ‘artists proofs’ at a reduced cost for the car lover in your life, a few are currently on display in the studio window if you would like to purchase one or two - this link to my ‘Stella’ website tells you more about the collection.

Secondly, the following week, I was away photographing during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone (you may remember I was there last year photographing Formula 1), photographing stills for a fascinating four-part documentary about the Formula 2 drivers called ‘Chasing the Dream’ - due to air mid August on Sky TV, I’ll keep you posted on this one and will share my blog in the coming weeks once I have finished editing the 2,000 plus images! If this is a subject that interests you, you may well want to sign up to my blogs via my Lifestyle and Automotive website ‘Stella’ here.

Thirdly, at the studio I have been photographing portraits for headshots and family photo-shoots, if this is something you would like to do before I move on please do get in touch, this link tells you more about the headshot service offered. You may also want to call in for passport photographs before Saturday 10 August as I will no longer be offering this service after my relocation.

Last but not least, my monthly visit to the former Oxted gas holder site took place last week on a gloriously hot and sunny day, my blog about the progress will be out at the end of the month, it really is beginning to take shape!

Just to let you know the studio will be closed on Saturday 3 August as we celebrate the wedding of a much- valued former member of staff Ben Rosser, incase you are wondering, yes, I will be photographing it!

If you would like to know more about my relocation, this previous blog tells you more, but please don’t worry I’m not disappearing, just finding a new way of working more efficiently.

To keep in touch with my regular updates please follow me on the social media icons below, and to subscribe to my monthly newsletters click on the ‘Subscribe To Our Newsletter’ button also below.

Thank you for your much valued custom over the past 23 years, I could not have got this far without you, I look forward to sharing my next chapter with you…

Stella

The shop front 1997 right and 2019 left.

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.