RSA Geotechnics have recently completed a major site investigation for the Alconbury Weald project. The work was designed to provide geotechnical and geo-environmental information to support the planning application and design solutions for the next phase of the development. The investigation was carried out under the directions of Peter Brett Associates, the consulting engineers for the project.
The Alconbury Weald project is transforming a former RAF airbase into a major environmentally-friendly manufacturing, engineering and research and development location; as well as providing housing to support the region’s future growth.
The 575 hectare development is the largest brownfield site in southern England. A quarter of the area will house the Alconbury Enterprise Campus, designed specifically for high value manufacturing, advanced engineering and low carbon research and development. More than 1000 jobs will be created by the end of 2015 and it is hoped that the final development may create up to 8000 new employment opportunities.
Urban&Civic, the company undertaking this ambitious project, has invested over £10m in enabling work which will transform over 70 acres of the former airfield. The work follows on from the recent completion of two gateway entrances, the tree-lined Boulevard and the award-winning Incubator building which houses a number of local small businesses and start-ups.
More than half the development will be green space including the planting of over half a million trees. The scheme will also deliver 5000 eco-friendly homes and new schools, sports facilities, medical and dental facilities, shops, banks, cafes and bars and a gym. There will be improved road and bus links and there are also plans to extend the East Coast rail-line to the site.