McAuliffe starts remediation works at former Caparo Engineering site

The £44million, 16-acre scheme is the first from Anthem Lovell LLP – a joint venture between developer, Lovell, and Walsall Housing Group subsidiary, Anthem Homes.

Derelict for more than a decade, the Caparo site can now be unlocked thanks to a multi-million-pound grant from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), under its ‘brownfield first’ policy.

McAuliffe’s programme of remediation and enabling works includes demolition around listed structures; breaking out and processing concrete hardstandings; capping former mineworkings; and treatment of invasive weeds.

Drawing on extensive geotechnical experience, the team has also eliminated the need for piling onsite, engineering a better value foundation solution.

John McAuliffe, group managing director at McAuliffe Group, said: “We first looked at this site over ten years ago, so we’re delighted we’ve been chosen to play a central role in its development.

“We strongly support WMCA’s commitment to prioritising the development of brownfield land ahead of greenbelt, and hope to see more and more neglected sites turned into thriving new communities.”

Remediation works are scheduled to last for another four months, with building work due to start in December 2020.