Their Challenge:

Stonebridge Homes needed a retaining solution for a development with properties situated on elevated ground. The original plan for a 5-metre-high wall was impractical due to poor ground conditions. Construction had to avoid affecting existing foundations just 9 metres away, and tight deadlines combined with limited access added complexity.

Our Solution

Retaining UK redesigned the project, proposing a 7-metre-high GeoRoc wall with a reduced width to avoid the house foundations’ zone of influence. The lower 2.4 metres were backfilled with concrete on solid ground, while granular and site-won materials were used for the upper sections, tested to meet design requirements. The design eliminated the need for smaller garden walls, creating larger, flatter gardens for residents below.

Bulk earthworks, completed by sister company ZTL using GPS technology, ensured precise profiling. Concrete was pumped in sections to protect the cut slope, while a long-reach excavator placed materials on the high side. Temporary scaffolding provided fall protection, and the team adapted to challenges, including a high-pressure water main discovered during construction.

Scope Of Works

• 100m long GeoRoc wall, 7m high
• Concrete backfill for lower section, granular/site-won material for upper sections
• Bulk earthworks and GPS profiling by ZTL

The Results

Retaining UK delivered a bespoke retaining solution that met the site’s challenges while enhancing the development’s usability.

“The scope of works was immense, and despite challenges from the time of year, weather, and build conditions, the professionalism and insight of the entire team—from design to production and on-site supervision—were exceptional. Now seeing the finished product, I am impressed with the results and would fully recommend Retaining UK for future projects.”

Matthew Edmundson, Stonebridge Homes Contracts Manager