Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, Hertfordshire

Perega were appointed as structural and civil engineers on this prestigious town centre redevelopment for Crest Nicholson Developments. Involved from the initial scheme stages, Thomasons was later novated as part of the design and build contract to Balfour Beatty.

The £35 million project consisted of the demolition of existing buildings and construction of three new buildings giving approximately 385,000 sq ft of retail space with a four-story, 110 bed hotel. A seven level, 350 space car park was built above two of the new retail blocks.

Vehicular access was gained via a link bridge above an existing highway after a protracted technical approval period with the county council.

The scheme also consisted of infrastructure work to provide three new pedestrian bridges, a new bus station, two new road bridges along with all the associated drainage and road works. Particular consideration had to be given to environmental aspects due to the high water table and with the River Glade passing through the site.