Engineering the 700-Acre SEGRO Logistics Park, East Midlands Gateway

Challenge

Integrating the project within the wider development infrastructure presented a challenge. The earthwork volumes needed balancing to transition from a flat development plateau to the required surface profiles. This included tying into the wider estate finished levels and accounting for arisings from foundations and drainage.

Developing the surface and foul water drainage network on site to satisfy the development requirements was critical to ensure both systems worked efficiently. As well as fulfilling lead local flood authority requirements and integrating the design into the infrastructure.

Among all the key challenges was the site’s proximity to East Midlands Airport, the UK’s largest dedicated air cargo operation. The design required careful consideration of the building’s shape, location, and proportions to prevent adverse wind shear around the runway and interfering with the wind flow for flying. Preventing glare and reflections from obstructing pilot landings and targeting interference to airport operations due to birds nesting within the development, was also a critical consideration.

Solution

We used our sector expertise in the sector and worked closely with the infrastructure engineers at BWB to develop the most efficient earthworks solution for the development.

As part of the wider design team, we successfully collaborated with the Design team to generate 3D models and undertake wind shear assessments with industry experts. This helped demonstrate that there was no adverse impact on the airport operations from the development.

Through careful selection of materials, we prevented risks of reflectivity, as well as implementing control measures and thorough detailing to prevent opportunities for nesting locations.