| Project: | Multi-Storey Car Park |
| Location: | Birmingham Road, Lichfield |
| Client: | Lichfield District Council |
| Status: | Complete |
| Services: | Integrated Service: Enabling & Demolition, Civils & Groundworks |
Transforming Lichfield: Demolition, Regeneration & £1.13M in Social Value Delivered.
In May 2024, a six-level multi-storey car park on Birmingham Road in Lichfield closed its doors after over 50 years of operation, marking the first visible step in an ambitious urban redevelopment project. The demolition of the multi-storey car park along with four retail units in Three Spires Shopping Centre was the first stage and a significant step in the transformation of the area, paving the way for an exciting new public space and connecting this to the cinema and plaza development in the city centre.
Cawarden was appointed by the Client, Lichfield District Council, to deliver this integrated project, which included demolition, civil engineering, and groundworks, while delivering on our promise to give back to the area.
The demolition phase involved safely and efficiently dismantling the existing car park and shops to prepare the site for the new development. Our civil engineering team then executed comprehensive works, including site levelling, drainage installation and landscaping – all to ensure a solid foundation for future construction.
Community Impact: Cawarden is delighted to have delivered £1.13 million in measurable social value, and here are some of the ways we achieved this incredible result:
- Creating local job and training opportunities
- 20,000 miles of vehicle travel were saved
- 99% of materials were responsibly recycled
- Local dance academy sponsorship
- £114,000 spent within a 30-mile radius – supporting local businesses
- Foodbank donations
These outcomes were tracked using Compliance Chain, enabling full visibility of the project’s social and environmental contributions from start to finish.
How Cawarden Made a Difference
As the main contractor, we ensured seamless project execution through a self-delivery model, maximising efficiency and quality by keeping all works in-house:
- Greater Control: Direct oversight of demolition, groundworks, and civils ensured adherence to timeliness and quality standards.
- Cost Efficiency: Minimising subcontractor reliance, reduced costs and streamlined logistics and programme, therefore creating maximum value.
- Expertise in Action: In-house teams brought specialist knowledge, maintaining flexibility to adapt to challenges in real-time.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability was at the core of the project, ensuring minimal environmental impact:
- Dust, Noise, and Vibration Control: Advanced dust suppression systems and continuous monitoring maintained compliance and minimised disruption.
- Maximising Recycling Potential: Over 99% of the demolition materials were recycled, with concrete and brick hardcore crushed into 6F2 aggregate for future construction use.
- Material Reuse: Structural components such as slates, bricks, roofing elements, and metal beams were salvaged and repurposed.
- Investing in Green Infrastructure: Contributing to sustainable landscape management and demonstrating a proactive approach to ecological restoration.
Thorough pre-planning was key to the project’s success—from detailed RAMS and method statements to seamless coordination with our project partners, including our structural engineers, particularly around the lift slab. Understanding how the structure was built ensured a smooth transition to site, allowing us to deliver the demolition efficiently and without a hitch. This project is a testament to our expertise and professionalism of the entire Cawarden team from start to finish.”
MALCOLM LOWES – DEMOLITION DIRECTOR
Cawarden is professional, happy to go above and beyond to deliver the project and provide excellent customer service. Very satisfied with the work that was completed and would not hesitate to appoint Cawarden again for future projects.”
LICHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
The Impact: A New Chapter for Lichfield
With the completion of the project, the city moves closer to unveiling a dynamic, open-air public plaza that will serve as a cultural and social hub. By prioritising sustainability, community engagement, and meticulous planning, Cawarden has not only made way for future development but also leaves a lasting positive impact on the local environment and economy.
This case study showcases how our expertise can drive urban regeneration while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and community well-being.