Client: Panattoni Project SPARK is a landmark 40-acre logistics and manufacturing hub located on the former James Bridge Copper Works site in Walsall. This £100 million regeneration scheme, developed by HBD in partnership with Walsall Council, Homes England, and the West Midlands Combined Authority, is designed to transform one of the largest undeveloped brownfield sites in the Black Country into a sustainable industrial park. The project will deliver 620,000 square feet of high-spec industrial space, providing units ranging from 20,000 to 250,000 square feet. The two-year remediation phase, completed without sending material to landfill, involved the excavation and recycling of 1.3 million tonnes of material, significantly reducing environmental impact and processing over 5.7 million litres of groundwater. Services we provided Ground Investigation & Land Quality Geotechnical & Ground Engineering Our Role BWB has been involved with Project SPARK since its inception in 2016, providing geotechnical engineering services that were critical to the project’s success. Our initial involvement included comprehensive ground investigations, identifying over 100 recorded and unrecorded mine shafts, and developing a remediation strategy that met the needs of multiple stakeholders, such as the Environment Agency, Local Authority, Homes England, and the Coal Authority. In-depth assessment In total, nearly 4,000 drill holes were used to consolidate shallow coal workings across the entire development footprint, ensuring the stability of future structures. BWB’s design ensured that the engineered fill met the required specifications to support future commercial structures using shallow spread foundations and ground-bearing floor slabs. Geotechnical expertise As geotechnical engineers for the enabling works, we collaborated closely with JF Hunt Remediation Ltd and SLR Consulting to ensure that all ground-related challenges were managed effectively. Our team designed and oversaw the treatment of shallow coal workings and mine shafts using grouting and capping techniques, stabilising the ground to prevent future subsidence. Stabilising ground Our solution involved grouting and capping to stabilise mine shafts and prevent future subsidence, and careful handling of contaminated soils to minimise environmental impact. Additionally, our close coordination with the Environment Agency and other regulatory bodies ensured compliance with stringent requirements, allowing for safe and sustainable site clearance.