Civils Planning Approval Gained

We are thrilled to announce planning has been approved for a new-build property which our civils team designed the drainage strategy for. The development, proposed by the charitable housing association Red Kite Community Housing, is situated in Marlow, just around the corner from our Bourne End office. The project will see the demolition of 11 terraced garages and a four bedroom home built on site. The new house will include a detached double garage, parking, access to the main road and landscaped gardens.

Drainage Strategy

SOLID were appointed to design the drainage strategy alongside Red Kite Community Housing. The project presented a number of challenges for the team. The main challenge being that the site has a very high groundwater level. We wanted to provide the most sustainable, yet practical, solution possible and had to demonstrate that the proposed would meet national and local requirements.

Civil Engineering

We proceeded by evaluating available SuDS techniques, determining which would be best suited to accommodate the proposed attenuation volume whilst optimising the existing drainage regime. We identified that infiltration was possible due to sand and gravel being present and underlying chalk levels. However, the design of shallow infiltration structures was challenging due to the high groundwater level and the presence of a protected wild cherry tree located centrally within the site.

Our proposed surface water system will see run-off collected by RWPs and gullies then moved to the sub-base of the access road. The external areas will self-drain due to the site’s permeability.

SOLID produced the drainage strategy and maintenance plan promptly to help the project go to planning on time. Planning was then approved without any conditions on the civils side of the project.