Brunel University
International Rugby Pitch (natural turf)

A sloping area of barely improved grassland was transformed, within a year, into an international standard natural turf rugby pitch and training ground.  The facilities were used, just weeks after completion, as a training ground for the French team during the 2015 World Cup. 
 
Agrostis managed this project all the way from the initial site investigation, through detailed design, tendering and project monitoring to the handover of the completed pitch.  We continue to advise the University on the maintenance of what we think is a magnificent facility.

Fish eye drone view of the completed rugby pitch

The French national rugby team training on the pitch in preparation for the World Cup

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Bitterne Park School
​3G Artificial Football Pitch

​The original buildings of this secondary school in Southampton were demolished and new facilities were completed within the property.  A 3G football pitch was constructed on the site of the original buildings. 

On the face of it this may sound quite straightforward and most reputable construction companies might have been able to design and deliver this without outside expert input.  However, this was an extraordinarily complicated project for which the client approached us for help. 

Appropriate liaison with the planners was required, providing details of hydrological (SuDS) proposals and other technical details throughout.  It was necessary to evaluate the ground conditions of what was a steeply sloping and potentially unstable site, all while the demolition work was actually taking place.  This was to ensure that the necessary and extensive subsoil build-up was appropriately carried out, in particular from a structural and hydrological point of view.  We developed the design, provided all technical information to the planners, tendered and supervised the project to a very successful conclusion.

View of digital design model

Final sand dressing being worked into 3G surface

Subsoil levels being built up

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Dereham Town Council
​SuDS Policy Document

Over perhaps several decades, local government has been drained of technical expertise.  One consequence of this is that powerful housing developers are able to provide very complex technical documentation to support their applications to planning authorities who may lack the capacity to interpret and decide appropriately upon those proposals.  As independent consultants therefore, we were asked to provide such an interpretation of the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage) strategy put forward for a substantial new housing development in Norfolk.  Our report led to the developer being required to re-design substantially their strategy which would, in fact, have been disastrous for the community in the event of a significant storm event.
 
The work led to us drawing up of a 'SuDS Policy Document' for the local authority, specifically in relation to surface water drainage as it applies to sport and outdoor recreational areas within housing developments.  In meeting the stipulations of the policy document, designers of future developments within the Council's jurisdiction should now be better able to put forward surface water management strategies that are both safe and sustainable.

Schematic representation of storage components and flow in SuDS policy document relating to sports and play surfaces

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London Borough of Hillingdon
Multiple Football Pitch Development in Public Open Space

After carrying out the appropriate site investigation on a large area of grassland, supporting only a couple of less than satisfactory football pitches, we were asked to design a facility providing 11 natural turf pitches catering for all age ranges.  We are especially proud of our design which delivers all of the footballing requirements while providing many additional features in a manner that should be expected of all public open space developments. 
 
These include the creation of a range of natural habitats, marshland and dry grassland, to encourage much greater biodiversity than would be achieved with the all too common 'green deserts', the uninviting windswept plains of many similar facilities.   The design also provides opportunities for enjoyable non-football activities, play and exploration, sadly lacking from the lives of many urban community dwellers.  Appropriate flood prevention (SuDS) features have, of course, been incorporated into the design.  The project was tendered in early 2020 and we hope to see it put in place in the near future.

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South Bucks Polo & Equestrian Facility
Private polo ground, stick and ball ground, arena and track

A steeply sloping area of pasture, with ponds, scattered trees and other features on a relatively poor and heavy soil is now a world class polo and equestrian facility.  Along with the full size polo ground, a substantial stick and ball ground with training track and arena were constructed.  Irrigation facilities for both playing surfaces was also installed.  Agrostis managed this project all the way from the initial site evaluation, through draft and detailed design, tendering and project monitoring to the handover of the completed facility.  A very substantial project of high value but the costs could have been a lot greater had our approach, as independent consultants, not been followed.  A very beautiful place and possibly one of the finest facilities of its kind in the country.

Site plan (click image to open larger version)

The completed polo and equestrian facility with house, garden and stables.