Demolition, asbestos removal and site safety
When will demolition of the disused bowling alley area begin?
To ensure continuity of sport and leisure provision on the site, we intend to keep the current King Alfred open and operational until to the new facility is opened. However, the work to deliver the new facility will require the disused bowling alley area to be demolished as part of the pre-commencement works.
A Prior Notice For Demolition Application was submitted at the beginning of December 2025. The demolition work is expected to commence in April 2026, pending approvals.
Why are works taking place to remove asbestos from the disused bowling alley area? Is planning permission required for these works?
Ahead of redevelopment of the site we undertook an asbestos survey of the redundant bowling hall. High quantities of asbestos-containing debris have been identified within ceiling voids, beneath the main bowling alley structures, and as loose contamination on several floor areas. These areas are all closed off to staff and to the public.
To make the building safe for future project teams and others, it is evident that a comprehensive asbestos removal program will be required. This will necessitate the removal of all asbestos containing materials (ACMs), along with the soft strip-out of internal walls, ceilings, floor coverings, and soft furnishings within the affected areas to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of asbestos fibres.
The proposed soft strip works to address the asbestos contamination are not considered demolition, therefore planning agreement is not required.
Is the current King Alfred facility safe to use whilst the asbestos removal works continue?
The work our contractors are currently undertaking involves a soft strip and targeted asbestos removal under controlled conditions. The work is supervised by the principal contractor (Willmott Dixon), working with a specialist team of asbestos removal specialists who are Health and Safety Executive (HSE) licenced asbestos removers. The HSE have been notified of the works (under the ‘F10’ process). A full Construction Phase Plan in place which has been signed off by the Principal Designer (CDM) prior to commencement.
The works are segregated from public areas and undertaken with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) observing appropriate waste handling procedures. The operational areas of the facility are outside the scope of the work, and remain safe for both our operator, Freedom Leisure, and for customers to continue using.
