Cricket Pavilion Substructure - Thriplow

Client: Coulson Building Group. Timescale: 2-week programme (delivered in 9 days).

Globe Civil Engineering Ltd were appointed by Coulson Building Group to deliver the substructure and ground floor slab for a replacement cricket pavilion at Thriplow Cricket Club. Despite a tight programme driven by the start of the cricket season, the works were carefully planned and delivered ahead of schedule, providing a finished floor level ready for the superstructure to commence.

Overview

Globe Civil Engineering were invited to tender by Coulson Building Group for the demolition of an existing pavilion and construction of a new substructure and ground floor slab to receive a prefabricated superstructure. Following acceptance of our quotation, works commenced on site within a two-week programme. The scope covered the staged demolition of the existing pavilion, segregation of materials for recycling, and construction of a new traditional foundation, substructure brickwork and block and beam floor on the original footprint, all delivered to a finished floor level ready for the prefabricated superstructure to be installed by others.

Site requirements

Globe Civil Engineering were required to demolish the existing pavilion structure, prepare the ground, and construct a new substructure and ground floor slab on the same footprint, in accordance with the architect's, structural engineer's and superstructure manufacturer's drawings. The works needed to be delivered to a tight programme within a residential village setting, with strict controls over working hours, deliveries and the protection of live services.

Methodology

Works were carried out using mechanical plant, including an excavator and dumper, with all operations covered by site-specific RAMS and undertaken by trained, competent operatives. The existing pavilion was collapsed in controlled stages using a mechanical excavator, with arisings segregated for recycling. Following the dig and reduced level works, the new build was constructed on the original footprint to a traditional specification, completing the block and beam floor nine days from commencement. Prior to excavation, a CAT scanner survey was completed across the working area, which identified a live electric cable on the line of the dig. This finding underlined the value of routine pre-dig scanning and informed the excavation methodology, with hand digging adopted around the identified live electric and water services to remove the risk of strike.

Site challenges

The principal challenge was the compressed programme, driven by the village's commitment to have the new pavilion in place ready for the start of the cricket season. Globe Civil Engineering mitigated this through detailed forward planning, careful sequencing of demolition, excavation and substructure works, and close coordination with the client and the superstructure manufacturer to ensure the slab was delivered in time for follow-on works to commence without delay.

Health, safety and environmental

Site-specific RAMS were prepared and implemented for all works, with trained and competent operatives wearing correct PPE throughout. The works were completed without incident or injury. Sitting within a quiet residential area, working hours and deliveries were managed strictly within planning conditions to minimise disruption to neighbours. Live water and electric services were identified and protected, with hand digging used around all known service runs and demolition arisings segregated on site for recycling.

Outcome

The substructure and ground floor slab were completed ahead of the two-week programme, with the block and beam floor finished nine days from commencement and handed over to the client ready for the prefabricated superstructure to be installed. The successful delivery enabled Coulson Building Group to maintain their wider programme and supported the village's objective of having the new pavilion in place for the start of the cricket season.

Key learnings

Strong client engagement and clear site planning were key to delivering a tight programme safely and on time. With three design inputs - architect, structural engineer and superstructure manufacturer - early cross-checking to resolve inconsistencies proved essential. The project also reinforced the value of CAT scanning prior to excavation, with early detection of a live electric cable removing a serious risk.