Gresham Development – Phase 1 Desk Study & Phase 2 Site Investigation
Supporting a Major Residential Redevelopment with Comprehensive Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Services
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Comprehensive geotechnical & geoenvironmental due diligence for a major housing association scheme
Northpoint Geotechnical was appointed to deliver both Phase 1 Desk Study and Phase 2 Site Investigation for a significant housing association redevelopment in the Gresham area. The mixed-use residential scheme proposes 179 new homes, comprising semi-detached and detached houses alongside 3–5 storey apartment blocks.
The development includes ground-level parking, a landscaped first-floor courtyard for apartment residents, and private gardens for low-rise properties, set within newly designed communal green spaces. Our geotechnical and geoenvironmental work provided the technical foundation for the project’s design and planning phases.
CLIENT REQUIREMENTS & CHALLENGES
De-risking a large brownfield site for mixed-use residential construction
Establish ground conditions and environmental risks across a 3+ hectare former residential area.
Validate foundation options for low-rise housing and heavier apartment blocks.
Address legacy demolition arisings and potential contamination from historic late-Victorian/Edwardian use.
Produce a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to inform design and planning.
Maintain programme while targeting higher-risk zones efficiently.
OUR APPROACH & METHODOLOGY
Targeted investigations guided by historical data and site reconnaissance
Phase 1 Desk Study: Detailed site walkover, historic mapping review, environmental records, and geology/hydrogeology screening to prioritise targeted intrusive works.
Intrusive Investigation (Phase 2):
Boreholes and trial pits across the site; deeper boreholes beneath proposed apartments/courtyard to assess higher structural loads.
Logging of demolition materials over undisturbed glacial deposits; in-situ testing and lab analysis as required.
Geoenvironmental Appraisal: Sampling/assessment of shallow demolition wastes to confirm suitability and protect workers/public.
Risk & Reporting: Integrated geotechnical and geoenvironmental risk assessments and a consolidated CSM within an interpretive report for the design team.
RESULTS & DELIVERABLES
Clear design parameters and reduced development risk
Confirmed generally favourable ground beneath demolition cover; provided data for foundation selection (including potential piled solutions where required).
Verified shallow demolition materials did not present unacceptable risk to construction or end-users.
Delivered a detailed interpretive report with CSM, risk register, and clear next-step recommendations for design and planning submission.
Enabled the client to progress design with reduced uncertainty and a defensible evidence base.
NEXT STEPS
Partner with Northpoint for site investigations that accelerate planning
Planning a residential or mixed-use scheme? We provide end-to-end Desk Studies and Site Investigations that de-risk design and accelerate planning.
Email: info@northpointgeotechnical.com | Tel: 0191 917 2310
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