Gates and fencing for mixed-use development at St David's 2, Cardiff

Gates and fencing for mixed-use development at St David's 2, Cardiff

Procter Fencing Systems is experienced in the design, manufacture and installation of gates and fencing for mixed-use developments. One such recent project was the second phase of Cardiff's prestigious St David's multipurpose development (St David's 2), which included hundreds of linear metres of mesh panel fencing, steel screening, timber screening, pedestrian gates, and both swing and sliding vehicular access gates.

Unlike most fencing companies, Procter Fencing Systems offers the full complement of design, manufacturing and installation services, plus technical consultation and site surveys when required. This was important to Bovis Lend Lease, the lead contractor for Land Securities, when it awarded Procter with the contract for fencing and gates. Another important factor was, of course, Procter Fencing Systems' very competitive pricing.

In the early stages of the project, John Procter, the Contract Manager, liaised closely with the architects to identify products that would meet the requirements specification and provide the right aesthetics for the mixed development encompassing retail, residential and multi-storey parking. For example, the screening between the parking areas for shoppers and residents was specified as a mesh panel fencing system, while plant areas were screened by a combination of metal screening adjacent to the parking and timber screens by the residents' shared garden. Matched pedestrian access gates were set within the timber screening.

For the entrance to the car park the architects specified a pair of heavy-duty swing gates that could be closed at a moment's notice. These steel gates have vertical bars for strength and a welded wire mesh infill to protect against cutting and climbing.

A further vehicular access gate is installed beneath the spiral ramp to control access to an existing entrance; this is a bespoke powered cantilevered sliding gate, also with vertical bar and weldmesh infill. Supplied through Procter Fencing Systems but designed, manufactured and installed by a sister division within the same company, namely Procter Sliding Gates, this gate is operated via a third-party control system.

Residents' pedestrian access to the car park is provided by a further automated gate with mesh infill. As with the sliding cantilevered vehicular access gate, the gate and operating mechanism were provided by Procter but the access control system was from another supplier.

Procter Fencing Systems is a leading manufacturer of fencing and gates, but the company can also supply and install third-party products where required. As well as the gate access controls already mentioned, a further example is the steel louvered screening around the plant areas. This product, Orsogrill Talia80, provides visual screening, security and a degree of noise attenuation, yet it also permits air to circulate around the plant to prevent overheating.

Virtually all of the gates and fencing for this mixed-use development are 2.4m high, which is an industry standard, and the steel items are all treated with a tough, long-lasting galvanised coating; much of the steelwork benefits from an additional RAL 7001 grey polyester powder coated finish. The Cumaru hardwood used for the screening and matching gates required no finishing and will weather naturally with no need for ongoing maintenance.

Stephen O'Leary, a Building Services Project Manager with Lend Lease, is very pleased with the work undertaken by Procter Fencing Systems, commenting: "The gates and fencing are all high-quality products and the installation was completed to an excellent standard. Indeed, it was a major advantage that the one company could take responsibility for the design, manufacture and installation.

"Throughout the project, everyone from Procter was professional, responsive and, when required, flexible. Inevitably on a project of this size there were minor issues that need to be resolved, but John Procter ensured that everything was dealt with to our satisfaction. I would be more than happy to work with Procter Fencing Systems again on other projects in the future."

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