Flood Embankment Move Increases Development Site Footprint

Innovative engineering has given a developer an additional 400 square metres of useable land after a flood embankment was moved five metres, making way for a major industrial warehousing development.

The Swift 13 industrial park on Creek Way in Rainham, Essex, comprises 13 industrial / warehouse units varying in size from 2,800sq ft to 6,800 sq. ft.

Positioning the new embankment

However, had it not been for some advance planning by geoenvironmental engineers, a large part of the complex may never have happened.

Partner Emyr Parry said: “Ahead of purchase Newable Developments Ltd had the foresight to ask one of our geoenvironmental engineers to review the plot they were thinking of buying.”

It was subsequently discovered that the land had originally been used for dumping sewage sludge during the Victorian era.

Swift 13 Aerial Locator Map

“There was an 80m long earth bund, dating back to the late 1800’s, running the length of the site, and maps suggested it was there as a flood defence from the nearby Thames tributary, although this was debated.”

Nevertheless, the Environment Agency insisted that it still had to be treated as such and, after three months of negotiation, it was agreed by all concerned that the so-called ‘flood embankment’ would be retained but re-positioned five metres closer to the tributary.

Swift 13 Locator Map

“The soil alone we had to move weighed in at 2,500 tonnes,” said Emyr, “however, by moving it we were able to create an additional 400 square feet of development land which increased the plot’s overall value.”

Piles were subsequently driven into the ground because of its soft consistency, and 13 units – of steel frame construction enclosed by brick, block and profile steel cladding -are now being developed with HBPW advising on the foundations steelwork and sub structure, as well as the external works.

Swift 13

“This is a textbook example of value engineering,” added Emyr, “illustrating how engineers from two disciplines came together to maximise a site’s value.

“Equally, it also took some foresight by the developer who clearly understood the true value of using a geoenvironmental engineer before purchasing a challenging site, knowing it could be turned into something with massively enhanced value.”

Swift 13 is located at Creek Way, close to the Marsh Way junction of the A13. Easy access is provided to the M25 to the East and the A406 and City of London to the West.