KEY FACTS

CLIENT

Prologis

YEAR COMPLETED

2010

BUILD TYPE

New Build

SERVICES PROVIDED

Civil Engineering
Drainage Strategies
Earthworks
Remediation and Land Quality Management
Flood Risk
Geotechnical Engineering
Ground Improvement
Infrastructure Design
Mining Risk Assessments
Retaining Structures
Settlement Analysis
Site Assessment
Slope Stability
Structural Engineering
Sustainability Consulting
Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

At the time of construction this flagship distribution warehouse, with a gross internal area of 1.1 million sq.ft, was one of the largest enclosed spaces in the UK. BWB Consulting was involved in the project from inception, advising on geo-environmental desk studies, intrusive ground investigation works and earthworks strategy as well as providing planning support on flood risk, access and transportation. Once the project was granted planning permission, BWB was novated to the contractor to design the foundations, structure, roads and drainage.

BWB played an important role in applying 'sensible sustainability' to this project. From the start, the building was designed to function passively and then, the most efficient plant available was then specified for essential energy usage. BWB's engineering input influenced key environmental factors including building management, health and wellbeing, transport, water use, materials and waste, land use, ecology and pollution and had a direct impact is helping the design and construction team achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' accreditation.

Key Challenges

The site was a former golf course and geotechnical conditions at the site were very challenging with a 20m fall along the length of the development with cut into rockhead at one end of the 850m long building and deep fill at the other end. This was compounded with an area of landfill through the central part of the site, which amounted to 250,000 cubic metres of material that required excavation, processing and treatment.

The site also had a mining legacy which left 14 mineshafts and associated working which all required grouting.

The warehouse had to meet the high operational and environmental requirements of the end user (Marks & Spencer) and BWB's design approach was one of 'sensible sustainability'; ensuring that the engineering input helped the delivery team to achieve the target BREEAM excellent rating through sensible, pragmatic and cost-effective solutions.

KEY CONTACTS