CASE STUDY : Canal Mills, Armley Road, Leeds

Project Overview

Allclear Demolition services completed the above project in July 2025. Canal Mills was an 18th century textile mill building, located alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, that was unfortunately fire damaged and required, site clearance, unsafe timber and steel roof structure removal, specific structural demolition and making safe site boundary elevations.

Key Project Steps

Pre-Planning

• Various site visits with the client to assess the structures, the level of fire damage to the structures, to then prepare a sequence of operations for a safe system of work.

• The likelihood was due to the damage to adjacent structures or nuisance to the nearby occupiers/neighbouring properties due to ground-borne vibration, we had to meticulously plan a method of works that minimised the disruptions.

• There was also a line of properties attached to the fire damaged building, that were to remain, so ensuring our demolition processes were completed with a very keen eye for detail, and completed by highly experienced machine operatives.

  
  

  Internal Soft Strip:

• Following licensed asbestos removal teams, internal soft strip of fire damaged fixtures and fittings, doors, windows and anything not structurally integral to the building were removed in preparation for the structural demolition

  
  

  Structural Demolition:

• Pre-planning and sequencing was vital prior to structural demolition throughout these works.

• Tracked Excavators with relevant attachments, skid steer loaders (bob cat) with relevant attachments, Mobile Elevated Working Platforms, scissor lift (MEWPS), Self contained pressure-washer for dust compression, various hand tools (including sledgehammers, shovels, brooms, wrecking-bars, 18v impact drivers, Stihl Saws, Recip Saws, Oxy cutting hot works equipment. All waste materials were removed from site using 40 yard roll-on-off skips, separated into various materials.

Waste Management & Material Processing:

• Crushing Operations: Began in early August 2024, utilising Allclear Demolition’s fleet mobile jaw crusher to produce high-quality 6F2 aggregate.

• Reuse: Utilized 6F2 material to create a multi-level pile mat, confirmed by satisfactory earthworks fill reports and pile mat tests.

• Initial project schedule completed on time: Project completed within a 6 month timeframe, which was agreed in advance with the client.

• Exceptional Leadership: Demonstrated outstanding planning by Allclear Demolition Services senior staff, with excellent coordination, and communication throughout the project by Allclear site supervisors.

• Client Commendations: Our client highlighted exceptional management and site supervision throughout the project, our meticiulous phased demolition method, and our care to ensure the surrounding neighbouring buildings were cautiously monitored daily.