Local knowledge

May Gurney Geotechnical and Environmental has recently completed the first phase of piling at the site of a new £3m McCarthy & Stone sheltered housing development in Norwich.

While Norwich can be a very difficult area in which to work, May Gurney has much experience of the geological hazards lying beneath the city - particularly the chalk bedrock, which was mined from the 11th century until the Second World War.

McCarthy & Stone demolished the car showroom that previously occupied the steeply sloping site, and construction of foundations for the single block of 51 apartments began towards the end of last year.

May Gurney completed the first phase of piling works in the northern and lower part of the site over a three-week period commencing just after Christmas. The company used its Llamada P140 to install 120, 350mm diameter CFA piles beneath the positions of the new building's walls. May Gurney will return this month to install a further 114 piles.

To read the full story, courtesy of Ground Engineering, click here.