Retaining Wall Solution for Clooney Army Base Redevelopment

The redevelopment of the former Clooney Army Base in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, into a modern education campus for Foyle College, Ebrington Primary School and Nursery School presented complex ground engineering challenges. Appointed contractor Heron Brothers required a reliable and cost-effective retaining wall solution and engaged Maccaferri to deliver the design and supply.

Spanning a 38-acre site, the £27 million development involved significant changes in ground levels, with elevation differences reaching up to 5 metres. To facilitate the construction of essential campus infrastructure—including sports pitches, playing fields, and pedestrian walkways and six large retaining walls were required across the site. Some of these structures extended up to 195 metres in length, demanding a high-performance retaining wall system capable of handling substantial loads while optimising available space. The project required a solution that combined structural integrity, durability, and safety within an active educational environment.

Maccaferri designed and supplied the MacWall 4° Segmental Block Retaining Wall System, an advanced solution ideally suited for large-scale retaining wall applications in infrastructure and education projects. The system’s 4-degree batter creates a near-vertical wall face, maximising usable space at both the top and bottom of the structure, an essential benefit for developments with limited footprint and high land-use demands.

The MacWall system also features built-in “anticlimb” properties, enhancing site safety and making it particularly appropriate for school environments where security is a priority. Its modular segmental block design ensures efficient installation, long-term durability, and a visually appealing finish that integrates seamlessly into landscaped surroundings.

By implementing the MacWall retaining wall system, Maccaferri delivered a robust, space-efficient, and safe ground engineering solution that enabled the successful transformation of the former Clooney Army Base into a fully functional, modern education campus.