KEY FACTS

CLIENT

Torpoint Housing

BUILD TYPE

New Build

SERVICES PROVIDED

Civil Engineering
Digital Flood Visualisation
Drainage Strategies
Earthworks
Project Management and Procurement
Structural Engineering
River and Coastal Management

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This is a sequential housing redevelopment of the former SAPPI Paper Mills (Star Mill and Sun Mill) at Feniscowles near Blackburn.
The development runs from Moulden Brow/Preston Old Road in the west to Livesey Branch Road in the east. The site consists of a central area of former industrial buildings, now demolished and subsequently filled over. There are two reservoirs, the to the west and Mill Lodge to the south. The total land area is 26.8 ha.

In addition to the housing. the development comprises the construction of a road, the realignment of the River Roddlesworth into a new river channel diverting the existing culverted watercourse into the new open channel.

BWB has been commissioned to bring forward a revised development masterplan focusing on Phase 1a, Phase 1b, the public spine road, adopted drainage infrastructure, structural solutions for each house type, plot levels and private drainage solutions. As the development progresses into the subsequent phases BWB will lead the River Roddlesworth diversion strategy, detailed design and the associated EA approval.

Key Challenges

The first phases of the housing has complex groundwater and weak soil types, BWB is working closely with the housing developer to develop groundwater control and economic foundation solutions to mitigate the low ground bearing capacities.

BWB were able to act very quickly, liaising and coordinating masterplan changes with the adopting authorities. Communication was frustrated by the challenging Covid home working conditions adopted by the Local Highway Authority and the Water Authority. BWB were able to use existing relationships and contacts to gain direct access to the approving officers and mitigate the potential for significant approval period delays following proposal pack submissions

KEY CONTACTS