The high profile National Memorial
Arboretum in Staffordshire was granted permission to build a permanent £5.6m events building to replace a temporary marquee structure.
The new 2,500m2 building would house flexible event spaces and meeting rooms to accommodate a wide range of activities as well as catering facilities for banqueting feasts for up to 300 people.
Construction company Stepnell was selected to build the multi-million pound complex and asked Roger Bullivant Limited (RB) to consider the best foundation solution.
RB had previously worked successfully on Arboretum projects, having delivered the precast piled foundations for the
memorial wall.
The site specific ground conditions comprised variable made ground deposits of both loose granular and soft cohesive soils to depths in excess of 5m,overlying stiff clays of the Mercia Mudstone Group.
Given the anticipated ground conditions, traditional shallow foundations and floor slab construction was not considered a viable solution, and an alternative foundation solution was required to adequately support the proposed structure.
RB reviewed the available site investigation data and observed additional in-situ trial pits to ensure compatibility with the proposed ground improvement solution using
vibro stone columns.
Sarah Montgomery, Managing Director at the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “We are delighted that planning permission was granted for our new events building.
“Our site has growing visitor numbers and hosts more than 200 events every year, including those attended by members of the Royal Family. This new flexible building, with extensive facilities, will provide a modern event space to replace our existing events marquee.
Construction Director from Stepnell, Bill Haynes said: ‘’After the highly successful Remembrance Centre project, everyone is pleased and excited to be continuing our excellent working relationship with the arboretum through this second project.”