Leadbitter has completed a major affordable housing project at Station Road, Wallingford, for the Bromford Housing Group. The 84 timber frame dwellings consist of 44 houses, 30 flats and a purpose built unit containing 10 flats for people with autism and learning difficulties. Of the 74 general needs dwellings, 52 homes were for rent and 22 homes for shared ownership.

The site was formerly a disused gasworks and while the majority of the industrial units had been demolished when Leadbitter took possession, the concrete slabs had been left in place as the ground beneath them was heavily polluted with hazardous materials.

Six months was spent decontaminating and cleaning the site, with excavation work up to five metres deep in places. Perfumed sprays were used around the site to minimise the smell and the air was constantly monitored to the satisfaction of the local environmental officer, who also approved all materials entering and leaving the site. All contaminated material was taken to specialist waste treatment sites in Hampshire.

Once the site was clear, Leadbitter started piling the foundations for the new homes. All gardens and landscaped areas were made up of clean soil to a depth of one metre incorporating demarcation matting to prevent any activity below this level in the future.

Leadbitter successfully completed the scheme six weeks ahead of programme.