We were proud to support the transformation of a former ironstone quarry in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire —set against the striking backdrop of the historic British Steelworks—into a forward-looking Battery Park at the forefront of the UK’s green energy drive.
The Opencast Ironstone Workings at Crosby Warren, Scunthorpe, 1950
Our team at Fairhurst led a comprehensive ground investigation to uncover the geotechnical and environmental challenges posed by this complex, infilled site. This programme included boreholes, trial pits, gas and groundwater monitoring, contamination analysis, slope stability assessments, and in-depth geotechnical testing.
The ground conditions proved as diverse as the site’s industrial past, with layers of variable Made Ground riddled with obstructions, underlain by the Frodingham Ironstone Member. Through rigorous testing, we derived the material parameters needed to perform a detailed slope stability analysis. The results confirmed the site’s stability—meaning no additional slope mitigation was necessary. Our settlement analysis also demonstrated that predicted ground movement would stay well within acceptable limits for the planned structures.
Given the site’s unique characteristics, we revisited the potential for ground gas generation. This led to a data-driven refinement of the gas monitoring strategy, reducing both its duration and frequency without compromising safety.
To prepare the site for development, a programme of earthworks testing was completed. This provided the information necessary to guide the turnover and re-engineering of the upper Made Ground, laying the foundation (literally) for successful construction.
The investigations and assessments carried out provided invaluable geotechnical and environmental insight, enabling the client to proceed to tender with confidence. Beyond that, our findings helped to satisfy planning requirements, de-risk the development, and pave the way for the next stage of this ambitious project.
