Chatsworth House
The Company
Chatsworth House is one of Britain's best loved historic houses and estate. The home of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire is set in the magnificent landscape of Derbyshire's Peak District National Park.
Over 650,000 people visit the house, garden, park, farmyard and adventure playground every year. The Chatsworth Estate covers approximately 35,000 acres encompassing farms, land, villages and industries. As such, the estate is a key employer in the Derbyshire area with several thousand depending on it in some way for their livelihood.
The Challenge
Whilst the current main house is younger, the original house dates back to the 16th century. It has undergone many changes over the years which included, during the last century, heating and other building repairs and changes which potentially introduced Asbestos Containing Materials.
To safeguard the income from the estate and protect those visiting and working within its perimeters, a full asbestos survey was necessary.
Life Environmental were awarded the contract to undertake the survey with full diligence yet with sympathy to the historic buildings. In addition, compile the reports and give the Estates Office a full appreciation of the risks.
This exhibits the wide range of experience and capability inherent within the Life Environmental team. As one of the country's leading attractions with amongst the highest visitor rates and a working family home, minimal disruption to its daily operations was sought.
Our Solution
We appointed a Surveyor to conduct a full survey of all building for the presence of asbestos based materials. Due to the flexible nature of our team and co-operation with the Estates Office, all survey work was carried out whilst the house and gardens were closed to visitors.
All rooms, corridors and basements in the main house were surveyed, including the world famous Mary Queen of Scots bedroom, The Wellington, Green, Satin, Sabine, and Chintz bedrooms. Other famous rooms included The State Dining Room, Drawing and Music Room. Other rooms and areas included bathrooms, dining rooms, the shop, first aid, plant, boiler and calorifier rooms, stores, workshops, rest rooms, the roof and roof voids, various staircases, lift lobbies, lift motor room, servants rooms, laundry, corridors, kitchens, offices, toilets, book store, wine cellar, flower room, gun store – in fact all kinds of room you would expect to find in a country house of this stature were included.
The estate includes many separate buildings, which were all part of the survey. Carriages Restaurant, Jean-Pierre's Bar, the Stable Block, Farmyard / Playground, Hunting Tower, Cafeteria, Bandstand, Turbine Room and Cascade House were some of the many such locations as well as the various greenhouses, sheds etc. A thorough investigation was conducted, including areas above suspended ceilings to view ceiling voids and even redundant suspended ceilings within these ceiling voids.
We provided Chatsworth with a detailed report and recommendations along with an asbestos register to assist with ongoing asbestos management.
The Results
It was of great importance to the estate that it should fully understand the presence of any Asbestos Containing Material and any risk attached to them. Life Environmental was delighted to give the Estate Office a full understanding of such risk and enable them to take appropriate action.- Risk mitigation; ensuring identification of risk with action appropriate
- Cost effective; work undertaken outside of business hours
- Efficient solution; minimal disruption and great care extended to the historical surroundings
