Site Description and Challenges
The site, spanning approximately 30 hectares, is situated on the outskirts of Langage, Plymouth, and is divided into three distinct areas of interest. Its current uses vary, encompassing farmland, fallow fields, and sections occupied by or directly bordering a landscaping business. Immediate adjacent land uses include a large ground-mounted solar array and a power station. ESP had to consider and navigate several significant constraints that limited the scope of investigation in certain areas.
These included high-voltage overhead electrical services, high-pressure gas mains supplying the adjacent power station, the operational landscaping business, and other restrictions imposed by ongoing archaeological and Local Authority investigations within one portion of the site.
Investigation Process and Findings
Our initial step involved a detailed desk-based assessment, reviewing available geological and historical information. This preliminary work was crucial for refining the proposed ground investigation scope. Historical data indicated that the site had been used for farming until its more recent re-utilization by the landscaping business and solar array.
The exploratory ground investigation established a general ground model. This typically comprised localized Made Ground and Topsoil, underlain by weathered and competent Middle Devonian Slates bedrock. Made Ground was primarily limited to one section of the site and appeared to consist of reworked Middle Devonian Slates, likely derived from other areas of the site or the adjacent power station development. With the exception of this localized Made Ground, there was no obvious evidence of extensive or highly variable Made Ground, nor extraordinary contaminative sources. Laboratory testing conducted to date has generally indicated low levels of contamination.
Outcomes and Recommendations
ESP provided the client and design team with a comprehensive and thorough exploratory ground investigation and assessment. This included expert advice on geoenvironmental and geotechnical design, infiltration, and clear recommendations for detailed investigations in each area as development plans are refined and progress. Furthermore, we recommended “check” investigations for areas where initial work was precluded due to ongoing archaeological and Local Authority investigations.
Through this project, ESP successfully implemented a detailed review of historical and geological information, which then allowed us to prove the anticipated ground model and conditions with a targeted exploratory geoenvironmental and geotechnical investigation. Our findings and conclusions have significantly informed and advanced the outline design, with further detailed investigations recommended to finalise the design for each specific area.
Speak to Us Today
Get in touch with our team via our email, enquiries@earthsciencepartnership.com or phone number, 02920 813385 and we’ll be very happy to help with and discuss any geotechnical engineering project requirements you may have.
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