The project site is located within a former quarry – now disused and backfilled. This resulted in complex ground preparation prior to construction.

We assisted Hayfield Homes with the detailed remediation and dynamic compaction process, which resulted in NHBC approving an industry standard foundation solution.

The existing pumping station on site needed to be redesigned, which allowed a traditional sheet and frame temporary works system to be installed to depths of over 10m.

Complexities included running sand and a high water table; to overcome this we installed a full well-point dewatering system, which allowed safe access into the pumping station.

This was a challenging first development for Vistry Northern Home Counties in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

As a solution for reducing both carbon exposure and project costs, we worked with Vistry’s commercial and technical departments to value engineer both subsoil and topsoil disposal quantities.

This value engineering was achieved by our in-house engineering department, who developed a detailed earthworks model, amending site levels to successfully accommodate the site’s total soil quantity.

This was then reviewed and perfected by Vistry’s own engineers and the final strategy resulted in huge value engineered savings for the project.

The site had restricted access with a large off-site haul road – temporary access was successfully installed through third-party land.

On-site water levels were under constant pressure – this was overcome by constructing temporary holding ponds.

The built-up residential area required careful management, with deliveries and plant access carefully planned to reduce the disruption for residents and the local school.

Within 12 months of commencement, 90 new homes were completed, along with the adoptable infrastructures both on and off-site.