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Infinity Park, Derby

Infinity Park, Derby

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Infinity Park is a manufacturing focussed technology park located south of the city, adjacent to the global HQ of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace and close to world-class manufacturers Toyota, Bombardier and JCB. This regionally significant project is a collaboration between Derby City Council, Rolls-Royce, the majority landowner and local developers Cedar House, Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities.

BWB have been involved in the project since the turn of the millennium and our expertise in Transport Planning, Flood Risk Assessment and Mitigation, and Earthworks and Infrastructure Design has been instrumental in securing planning consent for each of the various phases of the project.

BWB is currently undertaking the design of the new grade-separated junction and on-site spine road that enables development by providing access to the A50 and the wider national road network. Our hydraulic modelling expertise was deployed to assess options for realignment and environmental/ecological improvement of Cuttle Brook, a major watercourse within the site. The design of the extensive enabling on-site infrastructure had to take into account of challenging ground conditions and complex land drainage constraints.

Key Challenges

Transport Planning: The T12 Link Road forms a new strategic connection in the road network for Derby. Assessment of the effects of creating this new link, and the effect of the travel needs generated by the proposed development, were therefore critical to securing planning permission for the development and the link road. Utilising advanced modelling techniques, we developed a comprehensive understanding of these wide ranging and geographically dispersed transport effects. We identified a package of complementary and appropriately scaled mitigation measures and through our close working relationship with Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and the Highways Agency, secured their agreement to the proposals.

Flood Risk & Drainage: The extent of floodplain in and around the proposed development site is significant because of the complex interaction of a number of local watercourses. A robust floodplain compensation strategy was therefore required to overcome significant concerns about flood risk and enable the site to be deemed suitable for development without impacting on its developable area and viability. BWB undertook an extensive flood and earthworks modelling exercise in close consultation with the Environment Agency, and designed a strategic flood mitigation scheme incorporating extensive flood storage areas within the masterplan to deliver a reduction in flood risk to the wider area. Given the greenfield nature of the site the surface water drainage strategy incorporates extensive use of sustainable drainage systems such as swales, wetlands and ponds.

Earthworks & Highways Design: The simple topography of the site initially suggested that the design for earthworks and highways would be straightforward. However, achieving acceptable gradients for drainage, both on road surfaces and in buried pipes, whilst also achieving an overall earthworks balance on such a large site was a significant problem. Creative and intelligent design of highway and drainage infrastructure compatible with achievable development plateau levels meant that this onerous engineering challenge was overcome.

KEY CONTACTS

Iqbal Rassool

Iqbal Rassool
Group Director - Environment
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