Context

FP McCann's standard precast concrete L Wall earth retention system has been installed on a brand-new prestigious housing development in the North Devon seaside village Westward Ho!.

Local house builder NG Homes is building 138 exclusive properties on its Tadworthy site.

The uniquely-designed 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom properties occupy views of the North Devon coastline with just a short walk to the famous Westward Ho! Village and beach.

Project details

With significant changes in elevation across the site, the civil engineering element of the project involves substantial earthworks. NG Homes with build partner Design Manage Build (South West) Ltd is undertaking the main infrastructure works, including the installation of the earth retaining L Walls.

Following a review of its in-situ wall options, the NG Homes in-house design team opted for an off-site-manufactured precast concrete L Wall system, recognising that this method of walling is a simple, fast process, eliminating the need for shuttering, steel foundation formwork and the pouring of wet concrete. The additional benefit of the L Wall system is that no propping is required during construction.

FP McCann supplied its standard straight and corner 2.5m-high L Wall units from its Lydney factory in Gloucestershire. To date, the company has delivered 84 individual precast concrete L Walls to the Tadworthy development. Further units will be ordered as the site progresses.

Each separate run of walling acts as a soil retention barrier and, once fixed into position on a concrete foundation slab, earth is backed up against the L Walls as part of the raised ground levelling work surrounding the development’s footprint.

Testimonial

Commenting on the earth retaining L Walls in place, Graham Easton Construction Director of NG Homes Southwest Ltd said: “I wanted to take a moment to express our appreciation for the quality and install speed of the ‘L’ -shaped retaining precast concrete wall panels we have recently purchased from your company. As we progress in the construction of our project, which involves building seven executive luxury homes and 130 on market high end houses on the stunning North Devon coast, these retaining wall panels have been a pleasure to work with, in terms of their durability, design and customer support. The panels have been instrumental in enhancing the structural integrity of our development boundary divisions, while the installation was smooth and hassle-free, thanks to the well-engineered and thought-out design. Once again, thank you for providing quality retaining wall panels. We look forward to continued collaboration with FP McCann on future projects”

Availability

Standard precast concrete L Wall units are available in 1.0-3.75m heights from FP McCann’s Lydney, Grantham and Uddingston precast factories; large 4-6m-high L Walls are available from Byley.