Nottingham City Hub
Earthworks & Site Preparation
Bulk excavation, cut and fill operations, hardstanding breakout and site regarding.
Pile Mat Construction
Placement of 450mm crushed 6F2 material to form a stable piling platform.
Material Recovery & Recycling
Crushing concrete substructures on site into 6F2 specification material for reuse.
Project Overview
Dunton was appointed by Wates to undertake earthworks and pile mat construction works on the Nottingham City Hub development, a major regeneration project delivering a new college facility in southern Nottingham. The former brownfield site required extensive enabling works to prepare the land for redevelopment.
The project involved surface water treatment, removal of existing hardstanding and deep concrete structures, bulk earthworks and the construction of a piling platform. Working within a constrained urban environment, the team successfully managed a number of technical and logistical challenges while maintaining programme progress.
Project Cost
£710,000
Size
12,500m²
Recycled Materials
100%
Completion Time
23 Weeks
The Problem
The Nottingham City Hub site presented several engineering and logistical challenges associated with the redevelopment of a constrained brownfield location. Existing underground structures were more extensive than anticipated, groundwater issues were encountered during excavation works and sections of the site were restricted due to archaeological investigations.
Challenges Faced
- Restricted site footprint provided limited space for stockpiles and plant movements.
- Close proximity to neighbouring residents required careful management of disruption and site activities.
- Existing railway viaduct foundations required excavation to depths of up to 6m.
- Ongoing archaeological investigations restricted access to portions of the site.
- Moderate unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk across the development area.
- Unexpected perched groundwater encountered at depths of up to 3m.
The Solution
Dunton implemented a coordinated earthworks and enabling works strategy to safely prepare the site for construction. Surface water management measures were introduced to control groundwater while excavation works were carefully phased around archaeological restrictions and operational constraints. Recovered concrete from existing structures was processed on site and reused as engineered fill, reducing waste generation and import requirements whilst supporting efficient project delivery.
Techniques Used
- Surface water treatment and management.
- Programme coordination around archaeological works.
- UXO awareness and risk management procedures.
- Placement of 450mm crushed 6F2 pile mat platform.
- On-site crushing and processing of concrete arisings.
- Cut and fill earthworks.
- Dewatering operations to manage perched groundwater.
- Deep excavation and removal of concrete substructures.
The Result
Dunton successfully delivered the earthworks and piling platform package, enabling construction of the new Nottingham City Hub development. Through effective site management, material recovery and engineering controls, the team overcame significant site constraints while maintaining programme objectives.
The completed works provided a suitable development platform for the next phase of construction and contributed to the wider regeneration of the area.
Key Results
- 12,500m² brownfield site prepared for redevelopment.
- Development platform delivered ready for construction of the new college facility.
- Archaeological and site constraints accommodated without preventing project progress.
- Groundwater challenges successfully managed through dewatering operations.
- Engineered piling platform constructed using crushed 6F2 material.
- Existing hardstanding and concrete substructures removed and processed.
- £710,000 project delivered for Wates.
What Our Partners Say
“Dunton’s expertise in land remediation transformed what seemed like an insurmountable challenge into an opportunity for success. Their innovative methods saved us time and money while delivering exceptional results. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
