The Fairton Freezing Works redevelopment was a major industrial demolition project encompassing approximately 25,000m² of ageing processing facilities and associated infrastructure. The site comprised a complex mix of buildings ranging from one to six storeys, together with large boiler houses, chimney stacks, service buildings, and supporting industrial structures.

Southern Demolition & Salvage Ltd was engaged by Talley’s Ltd to safely demolish the facility down to slab level, preparing the site for its future redevelopment. Due to the size, complexity, and operational requirements of the site, the project was carefully staged over a two-year period to ensure demolition activities could be completed safely while allowing the client’s surrounding operations to continue uninterrupted.

Asbestos removal commenced in May 2022 and continued through to May 2024, with licensed removal undertaken across all buildings before structural demolition progressed. Following completion of the asbestos remediation programme, structural demolition began in August 2022, involving the systematic dismantling of all buildings and structures to slab level.

A significant component of the project was the implementation of sustainable demolition practices. Concrete generated during demolition was crushed and processed on site for reuse, substantially reducing waste transported off site and providing recycled material for future development works. Throughout the project, the team actively separated and recycled recoverable materials wherever possible, ensuring the highest practical diversion of demolition waste from landfill.

One of the project’s greatest challenges was undertaking demolition alongside Talley’s ongoing business operations. Maintaining normal production outside the demolition boundary required detailed planning, close communication with the client, and strict environmental management throughout every stage of the works.

Dust management was one of the highest priorities, as airborne dust had the potential to affect the adjacent cool store operations. Southern Demolition & Salvage implemented extensive dust suppression systems, including continuous water application and monitoring, to ensure dust emissions remained effectively controlled at all times.

The project was also subject to heritage consent conditions that required regular archaeological monitoring throughout excavation and demolition activities. Close coordination with archaeologists ensured all consent obligations were met while maintaining project progress.

Environmental protection measures were equally critical. Special controls were implemented around nearby waterways to prevent contamination, particularly from expanded polystyrene insulation contained within the site’s refrigerated freezer panels. The removal of these insulated panels represented one of the more technically demanding aspects of the project, with a significant volume carefully saturated prior to handling and removal. This specialised technique prevented the insulation from breaking apart during demolition, ensuring fragments did not become airborne or enter surrounding drainage systems and waterways.

The redevelopment formed part of a wider commercial partnership between Talley’s Ltd and The Wareing Group, whose Fairfield Freight Hub project provided the investment required to transform the former freezing works into a modern freight and logistics facility with a direct connection to the adjacent rail network. Southern Demolition & Salvage’s works were carried out in parallel with construction of the new freight hub, requiring ongoing coordination between project teams to maintain programme and site safety.

Both the demolition programme and the Fairfield Freight Hub development were successfully completed in 2024, delivering a safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable transformation of a significant industrial site while supporting the continued operation of the surrounding business throughout the duration of the works.

 Read more about this site on 1 News 2024