Baldwins Gate Grange is a strategic site north of the A53, bounded by open green fields to the north and existing residential development to the east. The site covers approximately 13.2 ha (31.6 acres) and lies on the edge of the settlement, just 500m from the village centre. It is well-served by a primary school, pub/restaurant, doctor’s surgery, post office/general store, petrol filling station, and local shops.
Our involvement began in 2021 when our Flood Risk & Drainage, Geo-Environmental, Acoustic and Air Quality, Geomatics, and Utilities teams were instructed to support the initial outline planning application on behalf of land promoters Richborough.
MEC’s Geo-Environmental team identified a low to moderate contamination risk, requiring localised remediation. Phase II investigations informed foundation and drainage design, with soakaway testing confirming infiltration as a viable strategy.
The Geomatics team delivered a detailed topographical survey to support technical assessments and planning documentation.
Flood Risk and Drainage specialists confirmed the site’s classification as Flood Zone 1 and developed surface water management strategies across three separate catchments, each tailored to site topography and ground conditions.
The Utilities team assessed infrastructure capacity, coordinated diversions for clean water and low-voltage electrical cables, and provided cost estimates for necessary works and easement considerations.
Acoustic Air carried out noise and air quality assessments, recommending mitigation through layout design, fencing, and attenuated features. Air quality levels were found to be comfortably within accepted limits.
Following Richborough's successful land sale to Bellway Homes in 2023, our Civils, Structures, Transport, and Lighting teams were retained to undertake the detailed design work. This included foundation designs and calculations, travel planning (including the production of travel packs to support sustainable travel), vehicle tracking, cut and fill analysis, plot and highway setting out, and technical approval of S38. Our civils team also secured S104 approval from Severn Trent Water for the adoptable foul drainage network. As the site sat on the boundary between the Severn Trent and United Utilities catchments, adoption negotiations were required to confirm Severn Trent’s jurisdiction. A pumping station, necessary to serve part of the site, was incorporated into the design and adopted following coordination with Severn Trent and New Haden Pumps.
In parallel, we liaised with Amey on behalf of Staffordshire County Council to ensure the on-site access road and levels integrated seamlessly with the S278 roundabout and associated highways infrastructure being delivered externally.
A number of technical and environmental constraints shaped the early stages of the project. Ground investigations identified low to moderate contamination across parts of the site, prompting the need for localised remediation and influencing foundation design.
Developing surface water strategies for three distinct catchments introduced complexity, requiring the integration of infiltration techniques that balanced engineering requirements with planning compliance and land efficiency. Existing clean water and low-voltage electrical infrastructure required diversion, presenting logistical and cost challenges that demanded early engagement with statutory providers.
The site’s proximity to potential noise sources necessitated mitigation through thoughtful design, including acoustic fencing, attenuated façades, and careful dwelling orientation. Variable topography impacted drainage flow routes, cut and fill analysis, and overall plot and highway layout.
Additional challenges during the detailed design stage have included working across sewerage authority boundaries, the adoption of a foul pumping station, and coordination with external highways consultants to align site access with wider S278 infrastructure.
The show home at Baldwins Gate Grange launched in July 2025, with construction now well underway across the site, with team continuing to support the wider technical elements on the development.
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