Northwood, Herne Bay

The ground conditions at Northwood consist of a thin layer of topsoil overlaying a thick layer of clay before becoming dense sand at depth, challenging but manageable with the right engineering approach.

To address these conditions, CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) piled raft foundations were chosen as the optimal solution for the majority of the site, with shallow foundations only being suitable for approximately a third of the units.

Most of the plots required clay heave protection, however a couple of the apartment blocks were outside the influence of trees so did not. These were piled as the high loads could not be supported by the shallow soils.

The foundation design focused on both performance and efficiency, mitigating the risk of heaving soil and ensuring an efficient foundation design minimising both concrete and steel usage.

Our approach improved the environmental impact of the foundations, while minimising the build duration.

We began work on-site in October 2024, with a planned construction program spanning 11 weeks. Despite the challenges posed by winter weather, including wet, muddy, and later, frosty conditions, progress remained on track thanks to a dedicated and skilled site team.

The final foundation pour was completed in December 2024, wrapping up a critical phase of the project just before year-end.

Throughout the project, we’ve maintained a strong focus on quality, which hasn’t gone unnoticed. We’re proud to report:

• NHBC scores of 5 and 6 for drainage and foundations
• Consistent ‘6’ ratings for drainage inspections across all plots
• Client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for our workmanship, speed, and team coordination on-site

This case study highlights the strength of collaboration, engineering expertise, and resilience in harsh conditions, delivering top-tier results that lay the foundation for a thriving new community.