Demolition works to begin at former Travis Perkins site in Cambridge

Demolition of the former Travis Perkins buildings off Mill Road in Cambridge will begin later this month in preparation for the new Devonshire Gardens development.

Developer Railpen and development manager Socius have already begun environmental survey and ecological protection work to get the site ready.

They say this work, which has been undertaken in conjunction with an independent Ecological Clerk of Works, has included wildlife conservation surveys to ensure that no wildlife are hibernating or nesting in the area ahead of the demolition.

As well as activity to prepare the site, the developer has trimmed back the hedges along Devonshire Road to allow pedestrians safe access along the site boundary.

A small number of young trees have also been removed as part of the site clearance to meet the conditions set out by the council’s environmental officer. The trees will be reused as natural creature habitats.

The developer plans to increase the number of trees by 55 per cent, with the overall development aiming to increase biodiversity on site by 350 per cent by the time the project completes.

Richard Van Lente, senior asset and development manager at Railpen, said: “We are proud of the effort and lengths that our teams go to ensure that they are working safely, sensitively and with their immediate environment in mind. Our plans for Devonshire Gardens include increasing the biodiversity on the site significantly and we will be mindful of this goal throughout the development process.

“We will continue to undertake regular monitoring and survey work, in line with advice from our ecology experts, to ensure environments are protected wherever we possibly can.”

The preparation works on site include the demolition of the former Travis Perkins buildings, before main construction work begins later this year. Following the completion of preparatory activities, Total Reclaims Demolition (TRD), the contractor appointed by Railpen and Socius to deliver the works, will proceed with the start of demolition, which is scheduled to last for approximately 12 weeks.

Railpen and Socius received planning permission in May last year to provide new public green spaces, homes and apartments for local people, workspace, and community amenities at the Devonshire Gardens site.

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