2006
Burntisland, Scotland
Stewart Milne Homes
Stewart Milne Homes
Maccaferri
Brownfield Site Retaining Wall Solution in Burntisland, Fife
MacWall® Landmark nearing end of construction
During Construction
Vertica Burntisland 2971
Close up of the MacWall® Landmark block system
Challenge
A challenging brownfield redevelopment site in Burntisland, Fife, previously home to a redundant bauxite processing plant, was acquired by Stewart Milne Homes for a premium residential development of 100 detached houses. The steeply sloping terrain presented significant engineering and construction challenges, particularly in preparing the land for safe and efficient housing development.
To maximise land use and create level building platforms, extensive re-contouring of the site was required. This process necessitated the construction of high retaining walls, forming a series of bold terraces with heights reaching up to 6.5 metres. The complexity of the project increased further due to the proximity of one retaining wall to the main A921 highway, located within just 9.0 metres of the structure.
Traditional retaining wall systems were deemed unsuitable due to space constraints and performance limitations. In addition, Fife Council Transportation Services imposed strict design requirements, specifying that all soil retaining structures must meet high standards of structural strength, durability, and long-term design life. These constraints required an innovative and proven retaining wall solution capable of delivering both safety and performance.
Solution
To address the engineering challenges of this steep slope stabilisation project, the Anchor MacWall® Landmark retaining wall system was selected. This mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) wall system is widely recognised for its strength, flexibility, and proven performance in large-scale retaining wall applications worldwide.
The MacWall® system uses segmental concrete facing blocks combined with geogrid soil reinforcement to create a stable, reinforced earth structure. The geogrid layers are installed horizontally within compacted backfill, forming a composite mass that provides superior resistance to earth pressures and pullout forces. This method offers significant advantages over conventional gravity retaining walls, particularly in constrained or high-load environments.
The Burntisland development represents the first major UK mainland installation of the MacWall® Landmark system. A single continuous retaining wall structure covering over 700m² was constructed, extending 168 metres in length and reaching a maximum height of 6.5 metres. The system successfully met all structural and regulatory requirements while enabling efficient use of the available land.
Sustainability was a key benefit of the solution. By utilising site-won backfill material, the project eliminated the need for imported fill, reducing environmental impact and avoiding approximately 600 heavy goods vehicle movements. This significantly improved the project’s carbon footprint and overall construction efficiency.
In addition to the main structure, three further retaining walls were constructed using the MacWall® Vertica system, delivering an additional 950m² of retaining wall area. Together, these solutions provided a robust, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible approach to brownfield site redevelopment and slope stabilisation.
Used Products
