MEC supported Hallam Land Management in securing outline planning permission for a residential development of up to 130 dwellings on land off Bournemouth Road, Blandford St Mary. The scheme also provides for areas of public open space, children’s play facilities, allotments, pedestrian and cycle connections, and the integration of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
The site is bound to the east by the A350 Bournemouth Road, to the north by existing residential development, and to the west by open countryside. The North Dorset Trailway runs close to the site, offering direct links for walking and cycling, while the town centre and local facilities lie within easy reach, making it a sustainable location for new homes.
MEC took a multi-disciplinary approach, having been instructed on Flood Risk & Drainage, Geo-Environmental, Acoustics, Sustainability, and Utilities to address the site’s environmental, geological, and infrastructure requirements.
Flood risk and drainage were key considerations, with the site located in Flood Zone 1 but sloping sharply in parts. Infiltration testing confirmed the suitability of the chalk bedrock for soakaway systems. A large Infiltration basin was designed to manage storm events up to the 1 in 1000-year standard, and the design was refined multiple times in response to Lead Local Flood Authority feedback. Groundwater monitoring and geotechnical assessments confirmed that seasonal fluctuations and potential solution features in the chalk would not compromise the basin’s integrity.
The Geo-Environmental team carried out Phase I and Phase II ground investigations, which included boreholes, trial pits, soakaway testing, and groundwater monitoring.
A particular challenge was the presence of a former railway cutting with deep Made Ground and a suspected chalk solution feature. The targeted investigation enabled a robust foundation zoning plan to be adopted, with localised remediation to account for contamination in the Made Ground.
Our Acoustics team undertook an environmental sound survey to determine potential noise impacts from Bournemouth Road. Acoustic modelling demonstrated that external noise criterion would be met for all private garden areas across the site, and that internal criteria would be satisfied through the provision of standard double glazing and direct airpath window mounted trickle ventilators.
The Sustainability Statement set out how the scheme will exceed Building Regulations through a fabric-first approach, delivering energy-efficient homes alongside EV charging points, water-efficient fittings, and extensive green infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Utilities team engaged with statutory undertakers to assess capacity and constraints. They confirmed connections for foul and clean water, gas, and electricity, as well as full-fibre broadband for every home. The presence of overhead high-voltage lines required early planning for diversion, while a new substation was identified to serve the site.
The development presented several technical challenges, particularly around drainage and ground conditions. The sloping site required the basin design to be sympathetic to the topography, with careful consideration given to side slopes and exceedance flow routes. Dialogue with the Lead Local Flood Authority was crucial in refining the design to a point of acceptance. Alongside this, the team had the challenge of ensuring that the basin was designed 1m above groundwater at any time.
Noise from Bournemouth Road was a further consideration, but detailed monitoring and modelling enabled us to demonstrate that, all external and internal criteria could be met through pragmatic design measures. The presence of medium-pressure gas mains, clean water infrastructure, and overhead electricity cables also required careful handling, with easements and diversions factored into the layout. By addressing these issues early with statutory providers, the team ensured no surprises would arise later in the design process.
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