Strategic Ground Investigation

Residential Development – Northampton

JPP Geotechnical and Environmental were appointed by our client to undertake a strategic ground investigation on a 43ha site at Grange Park, Northamptonshire. The proposed development comprised approximately 900 residential properties with private gardens, areas of open landscaping and associated infrastructure.

The site had significant archaeological interest and comprised existing agricultural land which was still in active use. Pre start meetings were held with the land owners, developers and archaeologists to agree a scope of works which met the requirements of all stakeholders involved, minimising damage to the fields and reducing potential impact to archaeological remains.

Following the agreed scope of works, JPP undertook trial pitting on a 50m grid, which were accurately set out on site by our in-house surveying team. The ground investigation encountered variable soils as expected following our desk study assessment of the site, which identified highly variable superficial and bedrock geologies and the presence of fault lines across the site.

In addition to the trial pitting, a range of insitu testing including TRL DCP’s and full scale BRE365 test were undertaken to support the design of the development.

On completion of the fieldwork and production of a site-specific ground model, geotechnical and contamination testing and assessment was undertaken across the site to provide foundation design parameters along with an assessment of the contaminative impacts of the historical land use on the soils encountered on site.

JPP provided preliminary recommendations for the site wide foundation design solutions, floor slab design, concrete classification and on the use of soakaways for infiltration. In addition, contamination assessment and waste classification works were undertaken, enabling JPP to provide our client with remedial design recommendations and a waste classification for the soils which require removal off site.

Our interpretative report provided the land agent with sufficient and detailed information to support pre-application works and to provide to prospective developers interested in acquiring the site with a recommended scope of works for the next stage of detailed design.