Wynne Jones Building
Project Overview
MGL Demolition was appointed to demolish Northumbria University’s Wynne Jones to clear the way for the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST).
Works to the building on Ellison Place, on Northumbria University’s Newcastle City Campus, included asbestos removal, soft strip, services disconnections, plus floor-by-floor and remote demolition.
Our work has facilitated the development of a new national space asset, fostering collaboration between industry and academia for groundbreaking space research and technological advancements.
Challenges
Wynne Jones on Ellison Place in the university’s centre and adjacent to a motorway. To mitigate disruption, we meticulously planned and implemented strategic traffic management, ensuring the safe and efficient demolition of the building.
The project coincided with the university term and there was a significant student presence. Safety was paramount; rigorous safety protocols and banksmen effectively managed risks ensuring the safety of pedestrians and vehicles near the demolition site. Open communication with all stakeholders facilitated smooth operations and minimised risks.
Sustainability
Sustainability was at the heart of the approach; our multi-disciplinary team created a piling mat with 2,100 tonnes of material from the recently demolished Lovaine Hall, promoting a circular economy among university projects. Overall, 4,024.7 tonnes of material was processed, and 99.72% was diverted from landfill.
Summary
This project was completed successfully, on time, and within budget. The client praised the team’s hard work and professionalism in overcoming challenges. They highlighted the site manager’s ability to see the bigger picture and his helpful and cheerful attitude. This demonstrates the team’s dedication and expertise in delivering exceptional results.
NESST will be a “game-changer” for the UK space economy, and we are proud to have enabled the delivery of world-leading research and technology facilities in the North East of England.
Completion of the demolition phase represents a significant step forward in the development of Northumbria’s North East Space Skill and Technology Centre (NESST) – a state-of-the-art facility that is set to transform the UK space industry. We would like to extend our thanks to the MGL Demolition team, who managed a highly complex demolition on a very confined site, located in the middle of our Newcastle City Campus next to the central motorway, all while maintaining exemplary standards through the academic year, which is a testament to their professionalism. Additionally, almost all of the materials processed through the demolition were diverted from landfill, highlighting both Northumbria’s and MGL Demolition’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Mike Cookson, Project Manager at Northumbria University
