Builder gets green light on Cardiff Bay

by Glenda Thisdell



Sir Robert McAlpine can start building a £10m speculative office development on the former docks in Cardiff after the project finally received planning permission.

The contractor has been waiting six months since being selected over Laing in a two-stage tender process following a shortlist of four contractors. Caspian Point is to be a 9,290m2 development incorporating two blocks with a mixture of five and six storey concrete-framed structures designed by HLN Architects. Hyder Consulting is responsible for geotechnical and structural design, site supervision and the design of extensive on-site infrastructure works to service the development.

The concept design for the development, which is set on a brownfield site, achieved a 'very good' BREEAM classification (the Building Research Establishment's energy efficiency rating). The buildings will be founded on deep cast in situ piles to minimise pile arisings and off-site disposal requirements. External water features will double up as drainage storage areas while drainage discharge will utilise the adjacent dock feeder, with appropriate petrol and oil interception to reduce formalised drainage disposal costs.

Caspian Point, which is due for completion in 2002, is the latest in over 32,515m2 of new office development carried out by Grosvenor Waterside, the property arm of Associated British Ports, in the revitalisation of the Cardiff Bay area. The mechanical and electrical consultant is Building Design Partnership.