Pickle factory redevelopment (28–30 Trinity Street)

Demolition
Written March 2009
The demolition work has been taking place on the site between Merrick Square and Trinity Church Square. Roman remains have been found on the site and these will be carefully excavated before the building work starts.

The wall at the back of the Merrick Square houses on the east of the site was due to be reduced at the end of the building work to protect residents from dust and noise. Unfortunately, a failure by Southwark Council Planning Department led to the omission of this requirement in the final planning application so the wall has been reduced at the start (far easier for the developer). Residents of Merrick Square thanked TNRA, and particularly Ali Walker, who put a huge amount of effort in to try to get the wall at the back of their gardens retained. TNRA did succeed in minimising the disruption on residents by negotiating with the contractor to use suspended scaffolding that does not require foundations in the garden, for the wall to be retained at the maximum height possible under the planning permission and for a screen to be erected above the wall during the works.

To appreciate what living on the east side of Merrick Square was like during demolition, watch and listen here. Although the noise (and vibrations) from the demolition was extreme, residents were impressed with the quality of Metro’s work and their staff, who are always charming and considerate. TNRA wrote to Metro to thank them for this.