Coastal Groundworks

D Hall Plant Hire & Groundworks completed an eco-house groundworks project in woodland near Looe, Cornwall, designed by architect Robert Rowett. This challenging project was completed in two distinct phases due to very limited site access through tight Cornish lanes.

Phase 1 focused on establishing site access, with materials transported approximately 900 meters via 3-tonne dumper as grab lorries couldn't navigate the tight lanes. Work included reduced dig excavation, soakaway system, trenching for 32mm water pipe, kerbs/edgers, and Type 1 stone with tarmac surfacing to enable vehicle access for subsequent phases.

Phase 2 involved extensive piling infrastructure with construction of a piling mat to support the rig, drilling of 41 Odex piles to varying depths, and pumping of over 100 meters of concrete for pile caps. Despite very challenging conditions and limited access, the site offered plenty of room once equipment arrived, creating the complete foundation system upon which the eco-house structure would be built.