Large scale earthworks on the former Drakelow Power Station site, Burton upon Trent

Challenge

Long-time McAuliffe client, Vistry, sought to convert this 41ha site – once home to the former Drakelow Power station – into Dracan Village, a 1,200-home development.

Former industrial use meant large-scale earthworks and enabling works were needed to make the site viable for housebuilding.

Ground issues included:

• Tonnes of below ground obstructions, including basements, deep foundations and footings
• A series of tunnels servicing the cooling towers
• Sand and gravel deposits
• Leftover Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFAs) in soils

Solution

Through Early Contractor Involvement and using our own Environmental Permit, we achieved regulatory approval and agreed phased handover to align with the client’s build programme.

Our team engaged early with ecologists and invasive weed specialists to manage ecological constraints, including badgers.

We value-engineered a sustainable vibrostone pile foundation. Working with a Temporary Works Designer, our team stabilised PFAs-contaminated soils, enabling reuse in piling mats. This reduced the volume of 6f2 required, delivering a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for the client.

Using a 85-tonne excavator to dig out larger obstructions, our team turned over 320,000m3 of basements. This included breaking out and de-watering excavations. We completed 200,000 m3 of cut and fill, using our Polygonal roller to allow compaction at greater depths.

Topsoil was stripped under supervision of the client for use in POS areas. Our team managed importation of soils under an MMP.

Results

• Gained regulatory approvals
• Enabled phased release of the site to meet an efficient build programme
• Made cost savings by stabilising contaminated soils for reuse onsite
• Produced 30,000m3 of valuable 6f2 aggregate
• Turned over 320,000m3 of basements, down to 10mbegl