Alderholt – Ground Investigation

The LK Group were commissioned by Dudsbury Homes to carry out a phase 1 PRA, and phase 2 geo-environmental investigation at a 145-hectare agricultural site in Dorset.

The Project: The investigation was undertaken to provide the client with the necessary information to support their master planning decisions and to satisfy regulatory requirements. 

The Solution: Geological records suggested that the site may be partially underlain by sand and gravel deposits. To assess the ground conditions a targeted minerals ground investigation was undertaken to assess the economic viability of sand and gravel extraction before site redevelopment works. 

All investigation locations were agreed upon with the multiple landowners and occupiers to minimise disruption to current site activities and groundwater monitoring works were undertaken over an extended period to account for seasonal variability.

The Benefit: The investigation works were undertaken on time including us using a rapid hollow stem auger drilling system deployed from a trailer to allow quick transfer between exploratory hole locations over this large site.

This confirmed that the sand and gravel deposits were predominantly limited to the south of the site. This will allow the Client to revise their master plan and/or consider mineral extraction works before development.