Fairhurst

On behalf of the site owners S.C.C Ltd the Manchester office has secured outline planning permission for the mixed use redevelopment of the former Bridge Mills site Tintwistle, Glossop including 81 dwellings and 1,394 sq m (15,000sq ft) of new business floorspace.

Fairhurst were originally instructed to produce masterplan options to establish the capacity of the 3.09 hectare (7.64 acres) site ensuring that the development is deliverable and feasible. This led to the selection of a preferred mixed use option that maximises residential development whilst incorporating modern new employment units to justify the release of the allocated employment site. Fairhurst ensured that the planning application did not need to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment, provided a Statement of Community Involvement, Flood Risk Assessment, Transport Statement, Site Investigation and Remediation Strategy, Ecology and Tree Surveys and Heritage Statement were included as part of the planning application.

In securing the favourable determination of the application Fairhurst produced a Viability Appraisal to justify the level of residential development based on the abnormal costs associated with the development of the site including site remediation, foundations/piling, services and utilities, landscaping and the provision of the Trans Pennine Trail through the site. The robust justification of the proposal produced by Fairhurst ensured the scheme was unanimously approved by High Peak Borough Council with no objections or delays to a decision.

Fairhurst are now introducing existing clients to the opportunity and working with Nolan Redshaw property agents to secure the disposal of the site.

Fairhurst in conjunction with local Contractor, Southbay Civil Engineering, were awarded the Major Project of the Year Award for 2011 by the CECA (North East) at the recent awards ceremony dinner. This award follows our success earlier in April when the same project won the ICE North East Robert Stephenson Awards 2011.

The 5.5 million pound project involving the construction of 300m of new quay attracted unprecedented success in scooping both awards because it was considered an excellent example of teamwork involving a local Contractor, a local Consultant, Client (the Port of Tyne Authority) and Operator (The North Shields Fish Company).

Fairhurst in conjunction with Southbay successfully won the project with an innovative alternative design for the works, delivered at a guaranteed maximum price. This approach and our economic design ensured that the works were completed within the allocated price and to programme. Throughout the project both the Client and the Operator were closely involved and contributed to a number of the value engineered solutions adopted in the works. The end result is a well equipped quay that handles the largest fishing fleet South of Peterhead, as well as providing open public access to the river front.

Testament from Kevin Emmett, Port Development Engineer, Port of Tyne Authority:

“Fairhurst have undertaken a number of contracts for the Port of Tyne Authority. Fairhurst have successfully delivered these contracts providing excellent value for money on their services. Through innovative design and consideration to all aspects of our requirements, from planning through to construction, an excellent working relationship was maintained with the Client and the Contractor throughout these contracts. We look forward to working with Fairhurst again and have no hesitation on recommending them for future projects”.

Fairhurst was appointed as Civil and Structural Engineers for the refurbishment and extension of an existing Victorian, Grade II listed school. The original building which was designed by E R Robson, circa 1876, as part of a series of new Board Schools. The new French Lycee is due to open for new pupils in September 2011 and will provide teaching space for 650 pupils both at Primary and Secondary School level.

The project includes the introduction of new internal lift and stair cores, a new entrance lobby area and removing old cores to provide new teaching space. A number of extensions are being built around the central courtyard to provide additional classroom space and dining rooms. The new and existing spaces are linked by an external covered walkway with exposed steel trusses, designed to be sympathetic to the original Victorian trusses found on site.

Due to the Grade II listed nature of the building, the design of the new structural elements have carefully considered both the form and fabric of the existing structure. Any new structure has been carefully integrated with the existing building to ensure that as much of the original fabric is retained as possible. Any repair works have been aimed at local remediation rather than wide scale replacement.

A Not So Cruel Wind ...

The renewables market grows daily, as does Fairhursts experience as a leading designer of wind farm infrastructure.

Clyde Wind Farm, straddling the M74 motorway near Beattock Summit in South Lanarkshire has been the catalyst for the development of our wind farm skills base in our Glasgow Office. Clyde Wind Farm is the largest consented onshore wind farm in Europe comprising 152 reinforced concrete gravity bases for Siemens’ 2.5MW turbines with hub heights of 80m and blade diameters of 90m. This 600 million pound development by Scottish & Southern Energy Renewables (SSER) commenced in 2009 should see all turbines in operation by early 2012, providing a maximum total generation capacity to power over 200,000 homes.

Our role on the project has grown since our initial involvement as designer to Morgan Est for an enabling works contract. Now working direct to SSER across the whole site (and novated to Hanson Contracting in the Central section), we have provided a whole spectrum of design, supervision and Technical Advisor services including wind turbine bases, drainage, earthworks, tracks, operations buildings, substations, bridges and culverts. The experience gained on the project has been invaluable, and should help drive forward our renewables offering over the coming years.

The Clinical Research Imaging Centre is recognised as being a world-leading research centre in using the latest scanning technology to advance the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and mental health problems.

The 20 million pound facility is located within the basement of the existing Queens Medical Research Institute at Little France (pictured). Fairhurst were responsible for all structural and civils works on the 32 million pound development for the QMRI.

The unit at CRIC comprises three key scanning machines: the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner; the Positron Emission and Computer Tomography (PET/CT) scanner; and a state of the art Computer Tomography (CT) scanner. Also included in the development is a cyclotron as well as associated laboratory, support and admin areas.

The MRI scanner makes it possible to undertake whole-body 3D imaging while the PET/CT offers whole-body scanning using radioactive chemicals, while the CT scanner is the first of its kind in the UK and has the ability to capture images of entire organs in a fraction of a second. The cyclotron, which is housed in a massive reinforced concrete vault - generates radioactive materials for use in the imaging process.

The structural works covered; the massive RC vault to house the cyclotron (the walls and the roof being two metres thick); the construction of the RC cells for patient treatment areas; the installation of a new lift pit, lift shaft and new main access stair; the formation of new areas of floor within the existing full height atrium; all builders work associated with housing the PET CT scanners and the MRI scanner and providing the associated support areas.

The new control tower at Southend Airport is up and running. The 32m high, six-storey tower replaces the old two-storey structure that was built in the 1960s.

This impressive new air traffic control tower has been constructed in a location to give the visual control room an elevated operational view of approaching aircraft, together with existing and proposed runways, taxiways and aprons.

As design consultant, Fairhurst determined the location of the control tower, height of the building and lines of sight in accordance with CAA requirements. A Fairhurst geotechnical interpretative report was produced to enable foundation and floor slab detailed design, with RC detailing, structural steelwork, drainage, car park and access road design completing the commission.

The expansion of Southend Airport by Stobart Developments (in conjunction with Stobart Air) is intended to cater for longer haul flights and create an airport with a direct hub link to the London 2012 Olympics. The new control tower forms an integral part of this expansion, which also includes a new railway station, passenger terminal building and runway extension.

Fairhurst Planning & Development Team in Glasgow has successfully secured detailed planning permission and approval of the associated EIA for Phase 1 of the Lochboisdale Regeneration Project on behalf of South Uist community group Storas Uibhist.

The 10 million pound development includes significant rock extraction, new causeways and breakwaters, a 1.25km road, a fisheries pier with associated commercial fishing infrastructure and a small boat and yacht harbour with slipway and amenities for local as well as visiting leisure sailors.

Challenging timescales were met by working closely in conjunction with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar planning officers and consultees. This has allowed the client to gain access to the required funding and Fairhurst are currently progressing with the detailed design work for this landmark regeneration project.

The Planning Team were supported by Fairhurst Civil Engineers as well as specialist Ports & Harbours, Geo-environmental, Transportation and Water Services Divisions and a range of sub-consultants.

One of Fairhursts more unusual projects has made it to the BBC website. The creation of an improved habitat wetland at RSPBs Vane Farm Centre, Kinross, provided a change of scenery to the more residentially-challenged staff in the John Stevens section, however, ably assisted by Geotech and Water Services, works have now received all the necessary approvals and a contractor is currently on site, watched over by Kenny Morris who is keeping one eye on the birds as well!

Large-scale landscaping is to begin at the bird conservation charity's Vane Farm reserve at Loch Leven this month.

The works will restore wet grassland areas around the loch shoreline, lost when the water level was lowered in the 19th Century.

Money for the project - one of 13 across the UK - comes from landfill tax credits. The credits have been donated by Biffa Waste Services, and are part of a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

RSPB Scotland said three years of scientific research had gone into planning the improvements at Vane Farm, which are also receiving funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The Newcastle and Glasgow offices have recently been commissioned by Alumno Developments Ltd to complete planning applications for the development of student accommodation ranging from 150 to 250 units at St Andrews and Partick, Glasgow.

Alumno Developments specialise in the planning, design and delivery of student accommodation throughout the country, which offers a high standard of accommodation implemented through an inclusive and open process.

To date, the Planning and Development Division has advised on planning feasibility and site issues relating to the landscape and urban design of the identified sites. Close liaison with the local authority has also been required due to the sensitivity of the sites involved.

Should the planning applications be successful, the company could become further involved in the site investigation, flood risk and engineering works on site.

On behalf of Stobart Developments Ltd, the Planning and Development Division in conjunction with the Watford Office has prepared proposals to expand Stobart Park / 3MG, Widnes, to further develop the area as a regionally significant multimodal transport and distribution hub. The expansion is being pursued via a planning application for 1.42 million sq ft of new storage and distribution floorspace including a 13.7MWe biomass facility and an application for a new multi storey office building to provide a consolidated base for the Stobart Group of companies with 12 floors offices and 7 decks of vehicle parking.

Fairhurst has developed the scheme addressing issues relating to the regeneration benefits, sustainability, landscape and visual impact, flood risk and drainage, earthworks and remediation, traffic and highway design. The development has been considered through the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which confirms that the development will not lead to any significant adverse impacts. A decision from Halton Borough Council is expected in October 2011 and development is planned to commence in early 2012 making Stobart Park / 3MG an increasingly important part of the Stobart Group business.

The Planning and Development Division and Walter Jack Studio were recently appointed by Kirklees Council to develop two play spaces for two town centre locations in Dewsbury and Batley in West Yorkshire, through the Playbuilder and Play Pathfinder initiative. This is part of a programme that has been developed by Kirklees Council to develop and refurbish play facilities in 27 sites in local neighbourhoods throughout Kirklees. As part of the commission, the Landscape team have produced detailed landscape design proposals, 3D visualisations and a Design and Access Statement.

The project has involved the design of two Urban Playscapes, which incorporate playable public art into the public realm. The proposals combine form and function to create accessible features with multi sensory appeal, promoting discovery and interaction within the local community. Inspired by the two sites, and following extensive consultation and visioning sessions with stakeholders, unique bespoke design solutions have been achieved.

The design at the Batley site has been developed to respond to the sloping topography, and is inspired by the concept of rolling ribbons down the hill, creating a range of play features. Hoops, balancing beams, slides and informal seating form part of the ribbon design. At the Dewsbury site, the linear nature of the site has been addressed by the proposals through the creation of a wire play feature. This incorporates spirals, hoops and movable rings within the design to encourage community interaction and play.

At the ICE dinner for the North East region in Newcastle on 15 April Fairhurst received the major project award from ICE President Peter Hansford.

Fairhurst in conjunction with local Contractor Southbay Civils submitted an alternative design for this 300m length of public quay situated at the mouth of the River Tyne. The guaranteed maximum price 5.5 million pound scheme was accepted by the Clients who were the Port of Tyne and the North Shields Fish Corporation. The innovative design involved driving 190 steel piles through the existing dilapidated quay and constructing a new concrete deck slab on top. The Clients are very pleased with the completed quay which is used by the fishing fleets and by the general public and is also vital for the regeneration of the area.

Storas Uibhist, community owner of the South Uist Estate in the Outer Hebrides, have recently appointed Fairhurst Planning Team in Glasgow to prepare and submit a Major Planning Application, accompanied by an Environmental Statement, for Phase 1 of the Lochboisdale Regeneration Project in South Uist.

The project is recognised as being key in terms of its economic, social and community benefits for the Outer Hebrides and includes new causeways, roads, breakwaters, a harbour for small boats and yachts, a commercial fisheries pier and rock extraction on Gasaigh Island to win construction material. Fairhurst engineering Divisions will contribute to the submissions, managed and coordinated by Fairhurst Scottish Planning Team in Glasgow.

The project represents a significant investment in the economy of the Outer Hebrides and Storas Uibhist have secured funding from public sources including ERDF, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to enable the project to move forward. It is expected that the planning application will be submitted mid April 2011.

On behalf of the Stobart Group the Manchester office has assisted in securing planning permission for the redevelopment of the Former Irlams Haulage Depot for residential use. The development comprises a maximum of 50 dwellings, including 13 affordable homes, and two office buildings.

Fairhurst advised on the preparation of a scheme for residential and employment purposes. Fairhurst informed a masterplan to ensure the scheme was deliverable having regard to the re-use of the existing access, highway design, parking provision and noise from the adjoining rail line and Knutsford Road. The comprehensive development of the site was pursued via two planning applications separating the residential and office elements of the development. Fairhurst provided Transport Assessments including parking surveys, Flood Risk and Drainage Assessments, Noise and Air Quality Assessments and Site Waste Management Plans which were agreed as part of the planning applications.

In securing the favourable determination of the planning applications Fairhurst successfully addressed objections which sought the re-use of the site as a waste transfer facility, the loss of overspill parking for the Chelford Agricultural Market and concerns raised in respect of the combined noise generated from the adjoining rail line and traffic on Knutsford Road. The deliverability of the scheme was secured by justifying the use of the existing access by overcoming ownerships constraints and the location of statutorily protected trees. In addition significant improvements to highway safety were demonstrated by introducing a Puffin Crossing on Knutsford Road to better link the housing development with the village.

The site is to be sold and Fairhurst have provided advice to a volume house builder to inform their potential purchase of the site.

The 200 million pound Union Square Shopping Centre in Aberdeen built for developer Hammerson is now open for business.

The shopping centre, located in the centre of the city, was built on a very technically challenging site adjacent to operational railway and bus stations. In addition to these constraints were the technical problems that existed below ground, which Fairhurst were instrumental in resolving. These included accommodating a 3.5m wide 100 year old brick culvert, which drains a significant part of Aberdeen and traverses the site. In addition to significant obstructions, poor ground conditions and environmental issues associated with the site's former use as a railway goods yard were encountered and resolved by Fairhurst.

Initially, more than 10 years ago, Fairhurst were commissioned by developer Stannifer, who developed the intial concept with the scheme architect BDP. Prior to commencing construction the whole development was sold to Hammerson, who elected to add their own design touches to enhance the scheme. The result is a vibrant, inviting and modern shopping centre which boasts a variety of restaurants, multiplex cinema and 10 storey, 203 room hotel. The project also comprises a multi storey car park and large retail terrace units, all of which were built by contractor Miller Construction UK Ltd, to whom Fairhurst were novated.

Fairhurst provided a comprehensive service on all aspects of the project, including geotechnical nad environmental services, alongside their principal role as civil and structural engineer.

Great credit goes to the construction team who completed the project on time to allow the centre to open as programmed. This could only ever have been achieved through collaborative working between Client, Contractor and the design team, which has without doubt been the key to the success of this project.

On behalf of Storas Uibhist (owners and managers of the South Uist Estate), the Planning Team in Glasgow have prepared and submitted a Scoping Report to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) to request a formal Scoping Opinion as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the Lochboisdale Port of Entry Regeneration Project. The purpose of the report is to logically and concisely draw together the environmental considerations, investigations and studies undertaken to date to provide an important source of information for the latter stages of the Project. The report also allows the Comhairle to confirm what information should be included within the Environmental Statement which will accompany any subsequent planning application(s) for the project.

The project proposes the construction of a new road and causeways (linking Lochboisdale to Rubha Bhuailt and Gasaigh Island), slipway, Fishing Harbour (with associated areas of hardstanding) and yachting pontoons, all of which are part of a wider long term strategy to regenerate Lochboisdale and provide for a range of future development opportunities. The report was prepared upon completion of outline design which was undertaken by the Glasgow office, integrating the input of a wide range of specialisms including Ports & Harbours, Water Services, Geotechnical & Environmental and Planning & Development.

This project, for Stobart Developments, commenced the regeneration of a heavily contaminated area of land fronting the River Mersey. Historically the site had been used as a chemical works and dock, which presented a number of significant environmental and geotechnical challenges. Extensive underground relic foundations and other structures remained, which required detailed consideration in the design and constuction of all groundworks and led to the decision to pre-bore all pile locations.

Phase 1 comprised a 420,000sqft Insulated Envelope Refrigerated Distribution Centre, a 100,000sqft Recycled Services Unit and associated external yards and car parking. The site is accessed by a new roundabout and almost 1km of new and upgraded highway, all of which was designed by Fairhurst. As a condition of gaining consent for the development, an adjacent redundant water course was decontaminated and brought back into use. This included the construction of a new tidal discharge to the Mersey via a box culvert.

The agreed remediation strategy saw approximately 325,000m3 of galigu (a chemical waste common to the area) stabilised by the addition of lime and cement and placed as a capping layer over the site. This provided a high strength engineered fill to support the external paved areas and re-used material previously classed as waste to adjust site levels to suit the requirements of the development. This cleared the adjacent site, thus paving the way for future developments. Rainwater harvesting, which serves the refrigeration needs, is one of the environmental initiatives which enabled the development to achieve a BREEAM rating of very good.

In July 2008 the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare was destroyed by fire for the second time since its original construction in 1904. This presented Fairhurst with the significant challenge of refurbishing the Grade II listed Pier deck, substructure and design of a new Pavilion building all of which had to be achieved within an extremely tight programme.

A comprehensive condition survey of the corroded fire-damaged substructure was undertaken, resulting in an extensive programme of refurbishment works. The new Pavilion is taller and significantly heavier than the original structure. The Edwardian cast-iron screw piles, incapable of supporting the heavier loading, have been supplemented by steel tubular piles driven down to bedrock under each column of the new construction.

Numerous attractions, such as a Helter-Skelter, Drop-Tower, 300m Go-kart track, 4D Cinema, together with restaurants, bars and a retail area have been incorporated in the refurbishment. In addition a flexible open plan area is provided at the lower level for concerts.

The new Pier is expected to become a major tourist attraction, playing a significant role in the regeneration of Weston-super-Mare.

The Second Tyne crossing is a new £260m immersed tube tunnel which crosses the River Tyne from Jarrow to Howdon. Construction of the second tunnel is vital to meet the increasing traffic demands in the North East of England.

The North and South land sections were constructed using a cut and cover technique and the immersed tunnel sections were placed in a dredged trench on the bed of the river. The dredged material was then placed in Tyne Dock to create 13 acres of reclaimed land for the Port of Tyne.

Fairhurst acted as design consultant for the main contractor Bouygues Travaux Publics on many areas of the project. Fairhurst were responsible for the design of works such as the North and South Temporary River Walls, South Cut and Cover Props, Wallsend Dock works, Howdon Quay, Howdon Basin infilling, re-engineering of the Howdon Landfill, South Services building and Tyne Dock infilling. The works utilised our specialist staff in the fields of marine engineering, geo-environmental engineering, drainage/infrastructure, structural engineering and town planning.

The project is currently ongoing and Fairhurst continue to work closely with Bouygues Travaux Publics.

Fairhurst provided Civil & Structural Engineering Services to the art deco styled clubhouse at the prestigious new championship links golf development at Castle Stuart, located on the inner Moray Firth near the city of Inverness.

The clubhouse construction is a combination of steel frame superstructure forming the balcony and internal open floor areas to the front of the building and the BECO insulating formwork system which was used to form the structural external walls. The use of BECO allowed significant structural strength to be gained in conjunction with achieving the high insulation requirements.

In addition to the building structure Fairhurst designed a private temporary Waste Water Treatment Plant on site to serve the clubhouse.

Design work is currently progressing on a proposed luxury hotel spa along with 150 luxury lodges and associated infrastructure.

The Planning and Development Division have recently been commissioned to provide full landscape architecture services for the design and build of a new primary school in the Scottish Borders. This is the first new school to be built within the ‘Borders Primary Schools Programme’ (BPS) Framework on behalf of the Scottish Government’s Committee for Education & Life Long Learning. The £9 million project will create a vital new resource for the community within the town of West Linton.

This educational centre will have a 12 classroom primary school with additional nursery and recreational grounds that will facilitate learning and promote outdoor activity. Improved formal and informal facilities for the school and wider community will encourage physical activity, a key strategy identified in Scottish Borders Strategy for Physical Activity, Sport and Physical Education 2006-11. It will also promote flexibility, allowing for different styles of teaching and varied learning experiences. The project will integrate the new learning resource within its local context, encouraging links between the school and the wider community.

The Planning and Development Division have recently submitted one of the first Scoping Reports to the Infrastructure Planning Commission for a 100MW biomass power station in Northumberland. The work, in conjunction with SKM Enviros, has been supported by the Geotechnical, Transport and Water Services Divisions. The Planning and Development Division are now progressing with the preparation of the Environmental Statement and the instruction has been extended to include Fairhurst geotechnical and civil engineering advice to consider design options for the cooling water intake and outfall structure.

The Development Consent Order application accompanied by an Environmental Statement is expected to be submitted later this year.

The Newcastle Office has been successful in gaining planning permission from South Tyneside Council, a Works in River Consent from the Environment Agency, and a Food and Environment Protection Act consent from the Marines and Fisheries Agency for a new quay wall at A&P Tyne. The Ports and Harbours Division designed the new quay wall to facilitate the construction of the two large upper decks for new aircraft carriers commissioned as part of a 65 million pound project by the Ministry of Defence. The QE class aircraft carriers will be the biggest warships ever built in the UK.

Throughout the planning process, objections were overcome from the Environment Agency and Natural England in relation to potential contamination to controlled waters and impact on the Northumberland Coast Special Protection Area. By successfully negotiating planning conditions, the development has now been allowed to commence in a phased manner. This allowed piling in the river to commence whilst the area proposed for land based piles is remediated. The works at A & P Tyne fit into the overall construction of the aircraft carriers and, therefore, the timely completion of the consent process was of paramount importance.

The proposed development will facilitate the creation of 260 new jobs and will secure in excess of 700 jobs over two years at A & P Tyne.

Following on from a short contract to look at naturally occurring chemicals in groundwater in Kenya in 2009, WA Fairhurst and Partners have been engaged by the United Nations to work on drinking water quality issues in the country again in 2010.

The contract is for six months and involves supporting the Government of Kenya to undertake a Water Safety Planning exercise for 20 peri-urban piped water supply systems in Cholera prone areas.

The traditional approach to managing water safety in Kenya, and until recently in the UK, is source protection and/or treatment, followed by water quality monitoring in the supply infrastructure. The problem with the traditional approach is that by the time contamination at source or in pipe networks is identified the water may have already been supplied and consumed.

The Water Safety Planning approach promoted by the World Health Organisation advocates better description and understanding of the risks to water supply systems, planning effective controls to avoid contamination of water supplies, and simple checks to ensure the safety of the system.

WAF staff will be in Kenya assisting Government counterparts to trial this new approach from March-June and Sept-Dec 2010. If successful it is anticipated that further WSP work in Kenya could follow in 2011.

Between 2008 and 2012 Water Safety Plans are being prepared for all Scottish Water supplies by Mott MacDonald, MWH and Halcrow. It is hoped experiences gained by WAF during this exercise may provide a basis for competing for similar work in the UK in future.

Contact Paul McMillan or Ross Nickson of the Geotechnical and Environmental Services Division for further information

Fairhurst picked up the prize for International Project the Year for the 5 Million pound Jamestown Wharf Rockfall Protection Works Contract in St Helena at the recent Ground Engineering Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Winners of the GE Awards were announced last Friday to celebrate the finest geotechnical engineering projects today.

The awards were attended by over 200 leaders in consultancy and contracting in the geotechnical engineering industry, these awards brought together the key players in the industry and the ones to watch. Fairhurst were in a tough category which contained projects from Fugro Seacore for the Flamonville 3 Offshore Cooling Shaft, The Brisbane Gateway Consortia for Piling and Ground Improvement and Scott Wilson for Sea Cap 21 Slope Stabilisation Trials. The project is testament to the hard work commitment of the entire team which included the St Helena Government and CAN France, which allowed the project to be completed ahead of programme and under budget – Well Done to All Involved

Ruby Kitching, editor of GE magazine commented:
There's no denying that last year was a tough one for business, but the complexity of geo- projects and quality of solutions seem little affected, judging from the 2010 Awards entries. Because of this, I feel it's even more important to celebrate the achievements of the companies and individuals here today.

For more information on The Ground Engineering Awards go to www.geawards.com

The Ground Engineering Awards 2010 was organised by Ground Engineering magazine, part of Emap Inform. For more information about Ground Engineering see http://www.geplus.co.uk/

The Planning Team in Glasgow, working closely with the Water Services Division who are responsible for outline design input, have recently prepared and submitted a detailed planning application for a new hydroelectric power scheme on the Isle of Harris, Western Isles, on behalf of the West Harris Trust, a local community group.

The application has been submitted following the results of an initial feasibility study which looked at 11 potential hydro sites in the Western Isles and was carried out as a result of growing interest in the contribution that hydroelectric generation can make to small communities. The scheme is therefore the first site within the study to be progressed to outline design and planning consent.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site, which is located within a National Scenic Area, Fairhurst have had to take into account a wide range of issues during the design process, including the results of a Flood Risk Assessment, Design Statement, Fish & Aquatic Impact Assessment and Otter Survey.

It is expected that in due course, similar instructions will be received to progress further hydro sites in the Western Isles through outline design and planning on behalf of local community groups.

WA Fairhurst Geotechnical and Environmental Services have been appointed by St Helena Government (SHG) and the Department for International Development (DfID) to undertake the first phase of rockfall protection works for Jamestown on St Helena. This work follows on from our involvement in the rockfall protection works for the Wharf which were completed last year. The current commission involves detailed design of rockfall protection measures to reduce the risk of fatalities, injury and damage to property from rockfall events within Jamestown, the capital of St Helena and is the first of an envisaged four phases of rockfall protection works for Jamestown.

Rockfall is a constant threat in the town with the most recent significant event occurring last year when we were on the island. It is a small miracle that the four occupants of the car escaped with only minor injuries. Following design of the work Fairhurst will assist SHG in letting the contract and will supervise the construction of the works which are scheduled for completion in the Autumn of 2010.

The Wellesbourne office have been commissioned by BAA to provide transport planning services for the Colnbrook Logistics Centre, Heathrow. The centre, with its rail and road connections, is a construction materials handling facility which will be used for the supply of materials to the Terminal 2 redevelopment in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner by making maximum use of rail deliveries and minimising the impact on the local road/motorway network.

The Planning and Development Division have recently been instructed to prepare and submit two outline planning applications for New Community Fire Stations at Prudhoe and Haltwhistle on behalf of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Services (NFRS). It is also expected that instructions will be received for a further two stations at Wooler and Seahouses.

These new instructions are as a result of the Fairhurst team gaining six consents for new stations in Northumberland earlier this year. The previous consents were granted within very tight timescales set by the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG). As a result, and in comparison to other Fire Authorities, CLG have recognised the way NFRS (and Fairhurst as one of the consultants) delivered the consents meeting strict Public Finance Initiative (PFI) guidance. CLG have now offered further PFI credits to allow additional facilities to be delivered in Northumberland.

The instructions involve Planning, Landscape, Civil Engineering, Transport, Geo-Tech and Flood Risk professionals within Fairhurst.

Fairhurst have recently successfully completed the 120 million pound A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine to time and on budget.

The project has won the following awards:

British Construction Industry Awards 2009 - Highly Commended
Saltire Society Awards for Civil Engineering 2009
CEEQUAL Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Awards Scheme - Whole Project Award Very Good
The Green Apple Awards for Environmental - Best Practice